Pyramiden, Russia
Pyramiden was once a booming mining town of over a 1,000 inhabitants. It was abandoned on January 10th, 1998. The state owned Russian company Arctikugol Trust ordered all the residents out immediately when the company decided that the town and mining facility was no longer profitable. The residents were given only a short period of time to collect what they could and leave. Pyramiden can be visited by boat or snowmobile. Tours are available in many different languages, including English.
Balaklava, the Crimea, Ukraine
This was the site of a secret underground Soviet Submarine base that was operational until it was decommissioned in 1993. It was thought to be indestructible and able to survive a direct atomic impact. Balaklava was also a residential area for the employees of the submarine base. No one came in or out of the area without special permission from the Soviet government. Today the area can be toured through its series of canals by boat.
Sinca Veche, Romania – The Temple of Fate
A mysterious cave dug into the side of a mountain is what The Temple of Fate appears to be from the outside when you visit, but if you traverse its caverns you will find much more than meets the eye. Its origins are mostly unknown, but some feel that the temple is an early Christian church, and others believe it to be much older with more pagan roots.
Promyshlennyi, Russia
This is a city that fell when the Communist former Soviet Union fell. All utilities and power were cut off and people were forced to abandon their homes and places of business to find resources elsewhere. So much was left behind, and conditions were left virtually untouched. Walking tours of the area give you a feel of what it was like living within the former Soviet regime.
Budapest, Hungary – Castle Hill Labyrinth
Come traverse the endless tunnels and caverns under Castle Hill. They were originally created for military installations, and later used as safety cover during Word War II. There is much to see and experience in these deep winding tunnels.
Kadykchan, Russia
This is another once thriving industrialized Russian towns that fell right along with the Soviet Union. There is no nuclear fallout here. It became unlivable because of the lack of opportunity and resources in the area when the newly established Russian Federation was no longer willing to provide for the area.
Borne Sulinowo, Poland
A secret Soviet military base from 1945 until 1992, Borne Sulinowo was even erased from maps and operated as a top secret Soviet military site for over 50 years. It was returned to civilian hands in 1992, and can now be viewed by tourists.
Kiev, Ukraine – Museum of Micro Miniatures
Nikolay Syadristy, an artist of micro miniatures has his work displayed here. Almost all of his artwork can only be seen in detail through a microscope. From camel caravans on needle eyes to chess sets on pin heads, his work will amaze you.
Minsk, Belarus -The National Library of Belarus
First founded in 1922, but relocated to a 236 feet building in Minsk in 2006, the National Library of Belarus stands in a most unique architectural shape called a rhombicuboctahedron. Architecture buffs from all over the world come to delight in the sight of this man made ingenious work of architecture.
Arkhangelsk, Russia- World’s Tallest Wooden Gangster Built House
Dominating the skyline in Arkhangelsk, Russia is a very off-beat looking house completely made of wood. This strange piece of architecture was a dacha built by Nikolai Sutyagin, a former convict and gangster. His ambitious construction soars into the sky 13 floors and is half the height of Big Ben. Sutyagin gives personal tours of his unique home.