Chernobyl and Pripyat, Ukraine
The Chernobyl disaster that took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine in the Kiev Oblast province on April 26, 1986 displaced a thriving young city of nearly 50,000 residents. The city of Pripyat had to be abandoned because of the toxic fallout that polluted a 19 mile radius within the area called the Zone of Alienation. Pripyat was built specifically to house the workers of the nuclear power plant. The town of Chernobyl resides a few miles away within the radius of the Zone of Alienation. Both of these towns today sit empty, ghost towns of a past gone awry. In the late 1990’s eco-tourism of the area began to catch on in a gradual way. Eventually and up until today it has become more and more popular as many people want to see the abandoned remnants of the Chernobyl disaster.
Sokol Airbase in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Novgorod, Russia is a very active aircraft construction plant where they mass produce the MiG 21, 29, and 31 aircrafts. They also produce other aircraft components for many different companies throughout the world. A unique feature you’ll find when visiting the Sokol Airbase is that they host passengers on rides in their MiG aircrafts. For a price, tourists can go into the stratosphere between Earth and space and catch glimpses only previously viewed b y astronauts and cosmonauts in the past. At 65,000 ft. a lucky passenger will view the area that lies where our atmosphere ends and black space begins. A professional Russian pilot makes the whole 40 to 45 minute trip into the stratosphere a comfortable and safe ride for adults of all ages.
Oswiecim, Poland – Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp Memorial Museum
CertainAuschwitz was a group of three concentration camps located in Poland and created by Nazi, Germany for the sole purpose of genocide to those they decided were inferior to their Aryan race. Auschwitz – Birkenau was the largest of all concentration camps run by the Nazi SS soldiers. Today it can be visited by tourists because it has been restored into a memorial and museum for the Holocaust of WWII.
Brest, Belarus – Brest Fortress
The most popular place to visit in Brest, Belarus is the Brest Fortress. The fortress was erected in 1842 to fortify the city of Brest. It is the famous historical site of a severe battle between the Russians and German Nazis during World War II. The Russians were able to prolong a stronghold against the German Nazis because of the protection that Brest Fortress provided. It was mostly destroyed during WWII, but was later rebuilt as a memorial to those fought during the war. It is open to tourists to visit daily.
Rila
, Bulgaria – Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery is a medieval monastery lying atop Rila Mountain founded by St. John of Rila. It is a fortified monastery that has unique architecture and mural paintings, and it is a national historical monument. The original part of the building dates back to 1337. It can be toured by visitors and houses a museum.
Hradec, Czech Republic
Town of JindÅ™ichův Hradec- In 1220 a gothic castle was built and a town formed around it where villagers would come and sell their wares. The early structure of this town was built completely in the gothic style of the 13th century. The palace of JindÅ™ichův Hradec was built in the 12th century and taken over by the town namesake JindÅ™ich VÃtkovec. The castle’s foundation is the oldest structure in the area. The amazing gothic and renaissance architecture of JindÅ™ichův Hradec is still present in its buildings today. The town is very visitor friendly and has many travel accommodations available.
Heviz, Hungary- Lake Heviz
In Heviz, Hungary sits a crater lake named Lake Heviz. It is slightly radioactive and contains large amounts of beneficial bacteria. People flock to this lake from all over the world to receive the wellness benefits this lake water provides for joints and other ailments. The lake has a constant warm temperature due to being fed by a warm underground spring.
Vechi, Moldova – Historical Cave Monasteries
Early Christians took to the limestone mountainside of Orheiul Vechi to seclude themselves in the perfectly abundant caves that were present in the far reaches of Orheiul Vechi. Monks wanted to find a divine place to be away from the hustle and bustle of society. They found it here during the period of 300-400 A.D. Monastic life continued here up until Communist control and monks have returned to restore it since 1996. It is not easily reached but well worth the trip.
Transylvania Province, Romania – Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)
The idea for the story of “Dracula” by Bram Stoker was fed by a steep imagination and Bran Castle. Vlad Tepes, a 15th century prince of Wallachia inhabited this castle and was he used by Bram Stoker as the main character, Dracula, for the story by same name. The castle resides at the very peak of Bran Village. The Romanian Board of Tourism provides excellent tours of the castle and other historically significant areas.
Village, Slovakia- Beckov Castle
One of the most beautiful abandoned castle ruins you will ever find lies in the village of Beckov in Slovakia. The castle belongs to the National Culture Monuments of Slovakia. The Great Moravia Empire settlement used to stand in the spot that Beckov Castle was built upon in the 13th century. The castle was abandoned and mostly destroyed by fire in 1727 but castle foundation ruins and beautiful gardens remain. The castle is open to the public and easily accessed from Beckov Village.