People took over most of the land, built cities, and changed the natural landscape. The green jungle was replaced by a stone one, and the benefits of civilization appeared everywhere. But as soon as a person leaves his creations unattended, nature immediately wins back its territory.
The India Times has collected 5 places on Earth where nature has triumphed over civilization.
Hotuwan, China
More than 2,000 people once lived in this abandoned fishing village. Today the village is buried in greenery and emptiness. The reasons for the disappearance of people were problems with the delivery of food and education in the 1990s.
At the moment, only a few people live here. But tourists from all over the world come here to capture unusual post-apocalyptic landscapes.
Pripyat, Ukraine
April 26, 1986, forever changed the fate of the city and its inhabitants. After the Chornobyl disaster, they were forced to leave their homes forever and the city was deserted. Since then, the only reminders of the past life are derelict buildings and a riot of greenery.
Since radiation levels are still high here, the only way to visit the Chornobyl exclusion zone is to book a tour with one of the licensed companies.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
An abandoned ghost town in the Namib desert was once one of the main centers for diamond mining. In its best years, more than a thousand people lived here. The settlement was erected by the German Reich specifically for the extraction of precious stones. In addition to houses for local workers, there was a school, a hospital, a stadium, a library, tennis courts, shops, a cinema, a power station, a bakery, even a casino, and a bowling alley, and the first tram line on the African continent was opened.
Human greed won: the supply of diamonds dried up, and with it the sources of drinking water, after which people dispersed.
Devil’s Bridge Rakotzbrücke, Germany
The iconic arch bridge, located in the picturesque Kromlau Park, is a magnet for tourists. The piece of architecture is mesmerizing, creating a perfect circle in the reflection of still waters.
According to legend, the bridge was commissioned by a local knight in 1860. The architect had a very short timeline to complete the bridge. Legend has it that he called on the devil to help him finish his work, and he agreed in exchange for the soul of the first living creature to cross the bridge. The devil finished the building, but how smart were the builders: they fooled the devil by making a rooster or a goat walk across the bridge instead of themselves. The devil was furious and then killed the poor animal before disappearing.
In reality, of course, the bridge was man-made. To preserve its condition and ensure the safety of tourists, access to the bridge is closed. You can only look at him. The best time to do this is in spring after the snow melts or in autumn (August/September) when the bridge is covered with autumn leaves.
Ross Island, India
Officially named Neteji Subhash Chandra Bose is part of the Andaman Islands. In 1857, the Queen of Britain began to exile political prisoners here. By their forces, residences with well-groomed gardens, a church, a printing house, a swimming pool, shops, a hospital, and a bakery appeared here – all the benefits of the civilization of that time.
Now almost nothing remains of its former glory. Massive roots and branches sprouted in their place. Once there was the “Paris of the East”, but now – only the jungle.