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When we call a place home, instead of a house, we’re ascribing a sort of positive emotion to it. But on the flip side, a windowless, empty house can evoke melancholy, sad, and even spooky emotions as our brains wonder why the people left in the first place. Mortgage costs are boring, it must be ghosts. 

The “Old and Abandoned Houses” Facebook page gathers images of buildings from a bygone age that no one lives in anymore. So get comfortable as you scroll through and be sure to upvote your favorites and comment why you think some of these places are devoid of people below. 

More info: Facebook

#2

A Boot-Shaped House Hidden Deep In The UK Forest

A Boot-Shaped House Hidden Deep In The UK Forest

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Tee Rat
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It appears as if the old woman who lived in this shoe finally gave all those kids the boot.

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While on the surface, these are mostly just decrepit old buildings, there are some psychological factors in play that make them fascinating to us. First and foremost, we do have an innate curiosity about abandoned places, as some part of our brain wants to confirm if it’s truly abandoned. Perhaps we think we can find something interesting or find answers to why people left.

It’s also worth noting that in most cases, the places we live in are not abandoned, so it’s a unique chance to see just what age does to a home, something we don’t see every day. Add in the fact that many of these houses are built in an “older” era and it’s easy to see why the average person might find such a building interesting. 

#3

Abandoned Fairy Tale House

Abandoned Fairy Tale House

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like it was originally a church, Central/East European perhaps, from the chimney decorations.

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#4

Abandoned Mansion In Michigan

Abandoned Mansion In Michigan

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, who else has an urge to snap their fingers? Show of hands! (Not you, Thing!)

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We aren’t the only people who think that old “ruins” are interesting, there is some evidence that in the 18th and 19th centuries, Medieval castles, no longer necessary as fortifications, were purposefully allowed to crumble and fall apart, as they would yield “aesthetically pleasing” ruins. While modern historians might grumble at this, the logic is sound. 

#6

Abandoned Castle

Abandoned Castle

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Christian Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Kopice Palace in Poland. It was destroyed by fire in 1958. Last I heard it was on market for offers near about 6 million PLN (about 1.1 million sterling, 1.37 million USD). Bring your toolbox.

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#8

Abandoned Mansion

Abandoned Mansion

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not abandoned! It's just that the new tenants are from the *Vegetable* Kingdom!

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In cases where there weren’t readily available ruins, people would simply fake them. Architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg designed a set of “Roman ruins” for the garden of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. The Hapsburg rulers of the time, like many fashionable people, had a passing interest in the ancient world and didn’t think fake ruins were weird at all.

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#10

Abandoned Beauty Found In An Apartment

Abandoned Beauty Found In An Apartment

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#11

Abandoned

Abandoned

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Agfox
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's in the grounds of Castle of Chignolo Po in Lombardy, Italy. The main building (not pictured), which is now an art & costume museum, is open to the public & is worth a visit

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And before you judge, consider that modern humans regularly erect haunted houses, horror escape rooms and take tours of places associated with death. There is a thrill associated with a location, while the houses in this list also might be just spooky enough to titillate a real horror fan. 

#12

An Abandoned Mansion In The Irish Forests

An Abandoned Mansion In The Irish Forests

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For some, an abandoned house isn’t enough, they need a whole street or even a region. This is why some companies make a profit by offering tours of Pripyat, near Chornobyl, still mostly restricted since its nuclear power plant suffered a catastrophic failure in 1986. People have a chance to explore a ghost town, plus see a relatively untouched Soviet town, as long as they don’t care about a little exposure to radiation. 

#15

Left Behind In France

Left Behind In France

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#16

An Overgrown Pool At An Abandoned Mansion

An Overgrown Pool At An Abandoned Mansion

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Others might go to Hashima Island, Japan, where mines have been abandoned since the 1970s. While not really dangerous, These locations are still “wild” enough that visitors feel like they may stumble across something new or unexpected. The presence of a tour guide would suggest otherwise, but most prefer an interesting delusion to reality. 

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This is perhaps the same psychology that drives people to explore the most uncomfortable caves known to man, even if it means risking life and limb to see a bit of rock that no one else has. Of course, by definition, an abandoned house can’t be “unseen” since it had to have been at least built.  

#21

Your Inheritance... Keep It Or Sell It?

Your Inheritance... Keep It Or Sell It?

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DEW
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have money to rehab it...then keep it. No money?? Sell it.

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#23

An Abandoned Haunted House Located In Berlin, Germany

An Abandoned Haunted House Located In Berlin, Germany

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If you are still interested in exploring an abandoned house and looking at these images isn’t enough, there are some safety tips one should follow. First, get permission if you can. Walking around an old house only to get slapped with a trespassing charge is probably not fun for anyone. Avoid going alone and preferably tell someone where you are headed, just in case. 

#24

A Forgotten Masterpiece In An Abandoned Mansion

A Forgotten Masterpiece In An Abandoned Mansion

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#25

Abandoned Castle

Abandoned Castle

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be funny if it was a TARDIS with a working chameleon circuit, and the whole thing just up and vanished one day.

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#26

Amazing Abandoned Castle's In The World - Scotland

Amazing Abandoned Castle's In The World - Scotland

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Tara Moov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Dunalastair House was designed by Andrew Heiton, a Perth-based architect, who also designed the Atholl Palace Hotel and Dunkeld railway station. It was really only used as it was built to be used up until the First World War because after that the staff needed to run such a big house were no longer available. During the Second World War it was requisitioned and used first as a Polish boys’ and then girls’ school and during this period it was considerably damaged, which included the loss of a Millais painting which was destroyed in a fire in the drawing room. The house’s contents were sold in the mid fifties after the current owner’s grandmother’s death and the house was badly vandalised in the sixties when the lead was stolen from the roof. In those days it was not viable to repair it and no grants were available and it deteriorated very quickly from then on with most removable parts being stolen. Various ideas have been put forward for restoring it, but the cost would be huge."

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If you do end up going, don’t say you weren’t warned by us, the law, 1001 films, and common sense. But do be sure to take some photos and document these locations for the rest of the world to see. In many cases, these houses have probably sat untouched and unseen for decades, so it would be interesting and educational for all to get a peek inside. 

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#27

Witch House. Wooden Cottage , Tatra Mountains , Poland

Witch House. Wooden Cottage , Tatra Mountains , Poland

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And if you are interested in more house-related content, Bored Panda has got you covered, you can take a look at our list of things people recommend you do before buying your first home. Or, if you want a good laugh, check out our post collecting the best “Ugly Belgian Houses,” which might make you wonder if they are an architect's practical jokes. 

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#32

Abandoned House

Abandoned House

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw. c'mon, that's an entire abandoned small village all stuffed into one oversized House suit.

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#34

Abandoned Church

Abandoned Church

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#35

A Decaying Neo-Gothic Turret Hidden Among The Hills - Italy

A Decaying Neo-Gothic Turret Hidden Among The Hills - Italy

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard of 'having a lien placed on your property', but never like this!

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#36

Abandoned Mansion, Belgium

Abandoned Mansion, Belgium

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#37

Abandoned Spa Town In The Czech Republic

Abandoned Spa Town In The Czech Republic

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#38

Abandoned Castle, Ireland

Abandoned Castle, Ireland

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Tara Moov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ballymarkahan Castle is a ruined tower house in the parish of Quin, in County Clare, Ireland. It was listed by Irish antiquarian T. J. Westropp as one of the 195 "lesser castles", or peel towers, of County Clare in 1899, by which time it was already a ruin."

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#39

A 14th Century Abandoned Caste In Scotland

A 14th Century Abandoned Caste In Scotland

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Andrew Vince
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Castle of Aaargh! (As in "Surprise and alarm"). Real name Castle Stalker.

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#42

Abandoned Beauty!

Abandoned Beauty!

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Agfox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not abandoned, it's Wing's Castle in the Hudson Valley, New York State. It was built by a young married couple over a period of 20+ years. An addition operates as bed & breakfast accommodation

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#43

Looks Like It Is Straight Out Of A Fairytale!

Looks Like It Is Straight Out Of A Fairytale!

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#46

Abandoned In Scotland

Abandoned In Scotland

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Christian Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the Airlie Monument in Kirriemuir. Built in 1901 to commemorate a man killed the year before in the Boer War. No one ever lived in it. It isn't abandoned.

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#47

Cochem, Germany

Cochem, Germany

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Christian Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Imperial Castle. It's owned by the town as a tourist attraction. Open daily 0900-1700. Restaurant 1000-1800. Not exactly "abandoned."

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#48

A 900-Year-Old Church Still Standing In Ireland

A 900-Year-Old Church Still Standing In Ireland

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Dragons Exist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly not abandoned (the road is in good condition) it's just old

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#49

Germany

Germany

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Agfox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eltz Castle, owned & occupied by members of the House of Eltz since the 12th Century

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#50

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

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Christian Golden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How sad that the capital of Scotland has been abandoned. I was there in June and it seemed so vibrant. 🙄

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#51

Abandoned. Would You Live There ?

Abandoned. Would You Live There ?

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That depends *entirely* on how much money I have for renovations, landscaping, maintenance, furnishings, and taxes.

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#52

Abandoned Beauty, Louisville, Kentucky

Abandoned Beauty, Louisville, Kentucky

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kybourbonpearls
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ouerbacker Mansion- She was built in the 1860's and is beautiful! I believe a restoration is happening or is scheduled to!

#53

Château De Puilaurens In Aude, France, Built In 1229

Château De Puilaurens In Aude, France, Built In 1229

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#54

Abandoned Somewhere In Romania

Abandoned Somewhere In Romania

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Nana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this! Probably my favorite! I wanna be there in person!

#55

The Owner Of This Amazing Treehouse Was An Oil Magnate And Built This House For His Grandkids

The Owner Of This Amazing Treehouse Was An Oil Magnate And Built This House For His Grandkids

It had a bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, running water and electricity. When he died and the kids grew up, it was just forgotten about.

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#56

1219 Abandoned Mansion, Then And Now

1219 Abandoned Mansion, Then And Now

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#57

Abandoned Mansion With Pool

Abandoned Mansion With Pool

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#58

A Mossy Reflecting Pool An A Abandoned Estate In Florida

A Mossy Reflecting Pool An A Abandoned Estate In Florida

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#60

Abandoned Subway Station Russia

Abandoned Subway Station Russia

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#62

Abandoned Art Studio In Italy

Abandoned Art Studio In Italy

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#65

Abandoned House In Istanbul Turkey

Abandoned House In Istanbul Turkey

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#67

Abandoned

Abandoned

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#71

Webster Wagner House, 1876 (Demolished 2015). Palatine Bridge, New York

Webster Wagner House, 1876 (Demolished 2015). Palatine Bridge, New York

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#73

Abandoned

Abandoned

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Malfar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone held the blueprints upside down when asked to build an underground fallout shelter

#74

This House Is About 4 Blocks From Where I Iive And Has Been Empty Around 10 - 15 Years

This House Is About 4 Blocks From Where I Iive And Has Been Empty Around 10 - 15 Years

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Rosie Red
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had an abandoned house in my neighbourhood. I called it the murder house. Thankfully, it's not there anymore. It always gave me the creeps when I walked my dog and saw it.

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#76

Paffendorf Castle, Germany

Paffendorf Castle, Germany

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Sylvia Schmitz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is where I grew up and it's not abandoned. It's been some kind of restaurand for a long time, I remember eating there as a kid after visiting the brown coal mining museum. Nowadays it is a brasserie.

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#77

Abandoned In Detroit, USA

Abandoned In Detroit, USA

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#78

Just Amazing

Just Amazing

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#79

Abandoned Island In Japan (Hashima,nagasaki)

Abandoned Island In Japan (Hashima,nagasaki)

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Nonna_SoF
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those curious it's a played out coal mining island. Now it's a tourist attraction and source of friction between Japan and Korea due to Japan's refusal to acknowledge the slave labor used at the site prior to and during WW2, despite having previously agreed to do so.

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#82

James Lee House, Memphis, USA

James Lee House, Memphis, USA

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Lisa Westfall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The James Lee House is a Boutique Bed and Breakfast located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee.

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#83

The Medieval Eltz Castle Located In Wierschem

The Medieval Eltz Castle Located In Wierschem

Germany, has been owned and occupied by the same family for over 850 years, 33 generations to be exact.

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#86

Abandoned In The Middle Of Nowhere!

Abandoned In The Middle Of Nowhere!

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#87

Sitting Room - Frederick Vanderbilt Mansion In Hyde Park, NY (Built In 1896)

Sitting Room - Frederick Vanderbilt Mansion In Hyde Park, NY (Built In 1896)

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#88

Castle In Germany

Castle In Germany

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Francois
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's Neuschwanstein. One of most visited castles not only in Germany but in the world.

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