Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned places in America – once thriving buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Throughout the ages, mankind has been fascinated with the ruins of previous societies. The desire to gain a greater understanding of our past has driven archaeologists, artists and scholars across the world to study the vestiges of lifestyles that have vanished in an attempt to capture their mystique and beauty.Originally intended as an examination of the rise and fall of the state hospital system, Matthew Christopher's Abandoned America rapidly grew to encompass derelict factories and industrial sites, schools, churches, power plants, hospitals, prisons, military installations, hotels, resorts, homes, and more. Through his collection of writing and photography, Matthew has spent the last decade documenting the ruins of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known: our own. Exploring sites like the charred remains of the Hotel Do De, the rusted cells of the Essex County Jail Annex, the sublime majesty of the Church of the Transfiguration, or the eerie and dilapidated remnants of the New Castle Elks Lodge, Christopher's work spans architectural treasures left to the elements and then all too often lost forever.

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned asylums in America – once glorious historical buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Abandoned Asylums takes readers on an unrestricted visual journey inside America's abandoned state hospitals, asylums, and psychiatric facilities, the institutions where countless stories and personal dramas played out behind locked doors and out of public sight.The images captured by photographer Matt Van der Velde are powerful, haunting and emotive. A sad and tragic reality that these once glorious historical institutions now sit vacant and forgotten as their futures are uncertain and threatened with the wrecking ball.Explore a private mental hospital that treated Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities seeking safe haven. Or look inside the seclusion cells at an asylum that once incarcerated the now-infamous Charles Manson. Or see the autopsy theatre at a Government Hospital for the Insane that was the scene for some of America's very first lobotomy procedures.With a foreward by renowned expert Carla Yanni examining their evolution and subsequent fall from grace, accompanying writings by Matt Van der Velde detailing their respective histories, Abandoned Asylums will shine some light on the glorious, and sometimes infamous institutions that have for so long been shrouded in darkness.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Italy.An exceptional photographic guide to once grand and now abandoned buildings in Italy. Robin Brinaert has been travelling around Italy for over eight years in search of these abandoned, forbidden places. He highlights the sometimes dramatic fate of our heritage - a serious reflection on safeguarding.Inside Abandoned Italy you can discover the former hunting lodge of the Duchess of Parma, a spectacular abandoned Moorish castle, the remains of film studios with the scenery from a Pinocchio film, a disused psychiatric asylum, a famous but now-forgotten discotheque in a mock medieval castle, the ruins of a renowned spa hotel ravaged by fire...This photographic book, allows one to discover our abandoned, endangered and very often forgotten heritage. Each photograph is accompanied by the history of each place, so that the reader can travel through time and learn the story behind each forgotten place.

The first ever collection of photographs showing in detail the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's most important urban exploration site.The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was created by the Soviets in the 1950s - was from Baikonur in 1988 that the first Soviet spaceplane, Buran, was launched in response to the United States Space ShuttleThe Buran programme would officially end in 1993 during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin, with only one Buran launch ever taking place, in 1998. Thereafter, parts of the Baikonur Cosmodrome fell into disuse, notably the sites connected with the launch of these Soviet craft. The two shuttles that were completed remain abandoned there, laid to rest in this atmospheric place. This is the first time that photographs of these spectacular locations have been published in a book. The author, Jonk, travelled 20km through the Kazakh desert under cover of night, entered the hangars clandestinely, and spent three nights there under the radar of military security to produce a truly incredible photographic reportage of what is considered today the world's most important urban exploration site.Jonk reveals his excellent collection of photographs taken in the disused part of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. As well as providing us with these amazing pictures, he describes the incredible adventure of visiting a location that is unique in the world.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned religious buildings.Between 2012 and 2019 Francis Meslet photographed several hundred places of worship across Europe. Over time, these places have became enveloped in silence, the only thing heard there now an occasional gust of wind whistling though broken stained glass, or the rhythmic drip of water leaking through the dilapidated roof above a nave. Nevertheless, these muted places still draw an occasional visitor.Once upon a time, prayers could be heard recited in Latin in a German church; and in a French Catholic college, the voices of children once resounded to the sound of the bells. But who can imagine what sounds might be concealed behind the walls of a crypt in the heart of the Italian mountains, or within a tomb in a former convent in Portugal? In his spare time Francis travels the world in search of places that have fallen into disuse -- religious buildings where time has stood still since their doors were closed for the last time. He returns with incredible photographs, each a time capsule, a record of a parallel universe. They prompt us to let our imaginations wander and ask ourselves questions. With the greatest respect for the faithful who regularly visited them long ago, he offers us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in places that have been abandoned by faith, to seek a divine light.Award winning title:Gold medal in the 'Fine Art Book' category, Prix de la Photographie de Paris1st place in the 'Book' category, Prix de la Photographie de Paris1st prize in the curatorial selection for the Paris Photo Prize exhibition “State of the World” from October 25 to 31 2021 in Paris, Espace BeaurepaireHonourable Mention at the International Photography AwardsSilver medal at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) in the Photo Book category

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Spain.An outstanding photographic book that draws attention to the often dramatic fate of Spain's abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty. The locations featured all have their own stories to tell, in a variety of voices, but with one shared theme: the fall from grace.Towns bombed during the Spanish Civil War that were never rebuilt; an international railway station once teeming with Nazi and Allied double agents, now concealing a state-of-the-art dark matter research laboratory; a former munitions dump hewn out of the mountainside; a winery whose vast tanks form a unique architectural site; and various laboratories that have closed down, their experiments frozen in time Although the remains of the old town of Belchite and Canfranc railway station are popular with urban explorers in Spain, many other historic sites overlooked even by local people are on the brink of vanishing into oblivion.For the last ten years, the cameras of Fran Lens, Paco Quiles and Carlos Sanmillán have crisscrossed the country to record these abandoned locations for posterity. Their work is featured in this photo report infused with history and adrenaline.

Venice Deserted is an exceptional photographic report of the most beautiful city in the world under the exceptional circumstances of the Coronavirus lockdown in Spring 2020. During the Coronavirus lockdown in March, April and May 2020, Venice appeared completely deserted, as perhaps never before. Luc Carton, who has lived in Venice since 2005, took the chance to photograph the most beautiful city in the world under these exceptional circumstances. His images are a rare testimony to such strange times. A unique report that will probably never be replicated - let's hope so anyway ...

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned places in Lebanon – once thriving buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Lebanon is a country that still holds many secrets of what life was like there prior to the civil war, and more recently the Beirut port blast.Inside, we discover ruins, deserted buildings, and glamorous architecture all tucked away from the public eye. These include the abandoned mansion of a former prime minister, one of the most remarkable buildings in Zokak el-Blat, Beirut, a once glorious hotel now bearing its war wounds, a 17th-century palace in Deir El Qamar, and a stunning yet unfinished passion project, where each arch of the structure reflects a different civilisation.Award-winning photographer James Kerwin’s love affair with Lebanon started in 2017 when he began his research into locating interesting, unique, and abandoned architecture. That relationship grew stronger when he finally set foot in the country for the first time in 2019, and began uncovering these architectural delights.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned cinemas around the world. The ultimate visual reference from a skilled photographer.The packed audiences of darkened cinema rooms are no more. People are gradually drifting back home to lounge in front of a multitude of online platforms, far less expensive than a trip to the picture palace. Habits have changed… the cinema is no longer a world of magic.Movie theatres have lost their splendour, often pushed into the suburbs and choked left and right by fast-food chains as if they were ashamed to exist at all.However, some of this fabulous heritage dedicated to the stuff of dreams which cinemas once were still exists, especially in France. This is one of the few countries left where theatres are still being built, sometimes with audacious architecture. Also, France is a place where their demise is fervently denied. Sometimes, on a street corner, a forgotten but flamboyant façade recalls past glories. It’s there to remind everyone that cinema is immortal.Simon Edelstein, whether in search of decaying or completely abandoned historic cinemas, or exploring lovingly restored or spectacular contemporarybuildings, has scoured the roads of France for over 10 years, in ci:es and countryside, to seek out this exceptional heritage.

Discover the finest unusual hotels from around the world in this exceptional photographic guide. Have you ever slept in the cockpit of an old plane or in a train stationed on a bridge? How about spending the night in a see-through capsule stuck on the edge of a cliff, in a secret contemporary work of art, in an old church, or in a house sitting atop a water tower? Would you like to treat yourself to a night in an igloo, in a circus, in a futuristic tree house, in an underwater bedroom or at an open-air suite? Sometimes, hotels can be destinations in their own right. We took an immense pleasure in discovering and testing more than 50 unique hotels in some 30 different countries around the world, so that you can enjoy holidays that truly stand out of the ordinary.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places from around the world. The ultimate visual reference in urban exploration.These outstanding photographic reports aim to draw attention to the often dramatic fate of a country’s abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty. The locations featured all have their own stories to tell, in a variety of voices, but with one shared theme: the fall from grace.For fifteen years, Francis Meslet explored urban landscapes as a photographer of the poetry of ruins. Drawing on this experience, with the aid of artificial intelligence, he now takes us on a journey to discover an abandoned world in a not-so-distant future. Nature relentlessly reclaiming Europe’s largest deserted librariesOpen-air ruins of the most beautiful theatresVast industrial remains frozen in timeParis under the threat of missilesThe ashes of Notre Dame Cathedral which has succumbed to the flames…Meslet’s work is much more than merely imaginary iconographic documentation. It is an attempt to reconcile the future and the past, a meditation on the fragility of collective memory. As a hunter of ephemeral moments, his generative art images reveal the duality of time, the coexistence of decay and splendour. With his keen eye, he has taken on the guise of a poet of decrepitude, capturing the soul of neglect, turning each image into a silent cry in the desert of contemporary indifference.

Discover the Hidden Theatres of ParisStep beyond the spotlight and into the atmospheric world of Paris’s lesser-known theatres, cinemas and performance spaces. Through the lens of Dimitri Bourriau, this beautifully crafted photography book captures the architectural elegance, preserved interiors and cultural heritage of venues often unseen by the public.Blending visual poetry with documentary precision, each image reveals a unique facet of artistic Paris—from grand historic auditoriums to intimate, forgotten stages. This is more than a photography book; it is a journey into the heart of the city’s creative soul.Why you’ll love this book:Stunning interior and architectural photography of Parisian theatres and cinemasExplores hidden locations and cultural heritage rarely open to the publicPerfect for fans of Paris, art, history and performing artsA beautifully presented coffee table book and ideal giftCaptures both iconic venues and forgotten spacesWhether you’re passionate about architecture, fascinated by theatre history, or simply love Paris, this book offers a fresh and immersive perspective on the city’s rich artistic landscape.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned cinemas in India. The ultimate visual reference from skilled photographers.An outstanding photographic report which draws attention to the often dramatic fate of India's abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty.In India, large movie theatres are shutting down one after another. Crushed by the rise of multiplexes and undermined by destructive urban policies, thousands of single-screen cinemas have closed their doors, leaving behind torn seats, silent projectors, and the memories of a popular, vibrant, and lively cinema culture. For nearly 20 years, Simon Edelstein and Elisabeth Christeler travelled across India in search of these abandoned or still-standing venues. Faded façades, creaking ticket booths, drowsy spectators dozing in the heat... Through their lens, we discover a cinephile India - exuberant and deeply human— like a final screening before extinction.

Discover the hidden side of Art Nouveau—beyond the familiar icons.Behind its most celebrated masterpieces lies a more intimate world of secret places and forgotten wonders. Secret Art Nouveau unveils 70 exceptional yet little-known sites across Europe - from ornate villas and grand casinos to bathhouses, winter gardens, fountains, and secluded architectural treasures.The result of over a decade of dedicated research and privileged access, this exquisite volume brings together the striking photography of Phil Lewis and the expert insights of Heike Maria Johenning. Their work reveals the intricate motifs, symbolism, and cultural connections that define Art Nouveau across 20 European countries, from France to Hungary, via Italy, Spain and Romania.Far removed from the well-trodden landmarks, these rare locations - often hidden behind closed doors or nestled in unexpected cities - offer a fresh, refined perspective on one of Europe’s most captivating artistic movements. Richly illustrated and beautifully produced, this is a book to return to again and again.Why you’ll love this book:A curated selection of 70 rare and hidden Art Nouveau sitesExceptional photography with exclusive access to private locationsInsightful exploration of design, symbolism, and European influencesA refined, high-quality volume ideal for displayAn elegant gift for collectors and lovers of art, architecture, and travel A captivating addition to any library, Secret Art Nouveau invites you to explore a more intimate and unexpected vision of Europe’s artistic heritage - one that rewards curiosity and reveals beauty where few think to look

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Italy.An exceptional photographic guide to once grand and now abandoned buildings in Italy. Robin Brinaert has been travelling around Italy for over eight years in search of these abandoned, forbidden places. He highlights the sometimes dramatic fate of our heritage - a serious reflection on safeguarding.Inside Abandoned Italy you can discover the former hunting lodge of the Duchess of Parma, a spectacular abandoned Moorish castle, the remains of film studios with the scenery from a Pinocchio film, a disused psychiatric asylum, a famous but now-forgotten discotheque in a mock medieval castle, the ruins of a renowned spa hotel ravaged by fire...This photographic book, allows one to discover our abandoned, endangered and very often forgotten heritage. Each photograph is accompanied by the history of each place, so that the reader can travel through time and learn the story behind each forgotten place.

Discover France’s Hidden, Abandoned Places – A Haunting Photographic Journey Through Forgotten HeritageStep off the beaten path and explore the haunting beauty of France’s abandoned locations. From the silent steelworks of Gandrange to the towering blast furnaces of Uckange in Lorraine, this striking photography book uncovers a world few ever see. Wander through a warship graveyard on the Crozon peninsula, uncover a forgotten castle near Paris, step inside an eerie Alpine sanatorium, and admire the fading grandeur of an Art Deco concert hall in northern France.Blending powerful storytelling with atmospheric imagery, this book shines a light on neglected and off-limits sites—capturing fragile spaces that stand as silent witnesses to a disappearing past. Both visually stunning and thought-provoking, it offers a unique perspective on heritage, decay, and memory.Key Features:Stunning photography of abandoned places in FranceIndustrial ruins, forgotten buildings, and hidden locationsExplore regions including Lorraine, the Alps, and Paris outskirtsA visual record of endangered cultural and historical sitesPerfect for fans of urban exploration, architecture, and historyCombines artistic photography with a powerful social messageIdeal for lovers of urban exploration, photography books, French history, and abandoned architecture.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Japan.Japan is often thought of as a place where the modern world and ancient traditions meet in surprising and fascinating ways. The rapid pace of technological, social and cultural change throughout the 20th century propelled the country forward but left countless establishments, industries and entire towns deserted.Through his photography Jordy Meow explores these forgotten places and sheds light on a lost world that was thriving just a few decades ago. Abandoned Japan documents famed ruins (haikyo in Japanese) such as Gunkanjima, the island featured in the Bond movie Skyfall, which once had a population of over 5,000 but is now completely abandoned, and the Disneyland-inspired Nara Dreamland theme park. Beyond these well-known sites, Jordy Meow also takes us on a journey through every aspect of a rapidly disappearing past: from schools and hospitals to industrial sites and nightlife, including strip clubs and love hotels. The ruins captured here range from the quaint and serene to the dark and nightmarish. Some have an atmosphere reminiscent of the animation films of Studio Ghibli while others seem almost dystopian. These places show that people can leave a lasting mark on their environment but, given the chance, nature finds its way back.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places, rediscovering our forgotten heritage. 'No Entry', 'Dangerous Site Keep Out' and 'Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted' are common sights on walls or perimeter fences around many of the world's abandoned sites. These warnings allude to potential dangers and prove an ineffective deterrent against thieves and vandals. To the urban explorer/photographer these signs simply serve to whet the appetite for the promise of hidden wonders that may lie beyond.For those who ignore the warnings and climb the fences, what awaits is usually worth the risks. Vast industrial spaces that feel more like an alien landscape or poignant residential settings, which are slowly surrendering to the inexorable advance of nature. Places once alive with sound and movement, now silent and still, but no less sensory. Immense and powerful beauty resides in these forgotten places. For some, just getting inside a location to experience this alternative form of sightseeing is enough to satisfy a desire to simply go where one shouldn't. But for some there is a need to capture the essence of a location in words and pictures, giving others a metaphorical leg-up over the fences, to walk them through the remaining ruins. Matt Emmett falls into the latter of these groups, travelling regularly to places in the UK and across Europe. He seeks out vast power stations and their cooling towers, steel works, mines, bunkers, tunnels, schools, engine sheds, hotels, castles and a myriad of other buildings. All have their own stories to tell in a variety of voices and without the distraction, sounds and people who inhabited them, those stories are clear and strong and the character of each location is laid bare.Architectural DigestPhotographer Matt Emmett has made a name for himself by pushing the boundaries to capture epic imagery of Europe's most forgotten ruinsInternational Business TimesMatt Emmett's 'Forgotten Heritage' photography project uncovers the brutal beauty of abandoned buildings and derelict industry.Winner of Historical Photographer of the Year 2017.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of once-glorious and now abandoned movie theatres across America.In the early 20th century the streets of small towns and cities across America were filled with the lights and sounds of movie theatres. The most opulent, known as 'movie palaces', were designed to make their patrons feel like royalty; people would dress up to visit. But as time went on it became harder and harder to fill the 2,000+ seat theatres and many were forced to close. Today, these palaces are illuminated only by the flicker of dying lights. The sound of water dripping from holes in the ceiling echoes through the auditoriums.In After the Final Curtain (Volume 2) internationally-renowned photographer Matt Lambros continues his travels across the United States, documenting these once elegant buildings. From the supposedly haunted Pacific Warner Theatre in Los Angeles to the Orpheum Theatre in New Bedford, MA (which opened the same day the Titanic sank) Lambros pulls back the curtain to reveal what is left, giving these palaces a chance to shine again.

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned places in America – once thriving buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Throughout the ages, mankind has been fascinated with the ruins of previous societies. The desire to gain a greater understanding of our past has driven archaeologists, artists and scholars across the world to study the vestiges of lifestyles that have vanished in an attempt to capture their mystique and beauty.Originally intended as an examination of the rise and fall of the state hospital system, Matthew Christopher's Abandoned America rapidly grew to encompass derelict factories and industrial sites, schools, churches, power plants, hospitals, prisons, military installations, hotels, resorts, homes, and more. Through his collection of writing and photography, Matthew has spent the last decade documenting the ruins of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known: our own. Exploring sites like the charred remains of the Hotel Do De, the rusted cells of the Essex County Jail Annex, the sublime majesty of the Church of the Transfiguration, or the eerie and dilapidated remnants of the New Castle Elks Lodge, Christopher's work spans architectural treasures left to the elements and then all too often lost forever.

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned asylums in America – once glorious historical buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Abandoned Asylums takes readers on an unrestricted visual journey inside America's abandoned state hospitals, asylums, and psychiatric facilities, the institutions where countless stories and personal dramas played out behind locked doors and out of public sight.The images captured by photographer Matt Van der Velde are powerful, haunting and emotive. A sad and tragic reality that these once glorious historical institutions now sit vacant and forgotten as their futures are uncertain and threatened with the wrecking ball.Explore a private mental hospital that treated Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities seeking safe haven. Or look inside the seclusion cells at an asylum that once incarcerated the now-infamous Charles Manson. Or see the autopsy theatre at a Government Hospital for the Insane that was the scene for some of America's very first lobotomy procedures.With a foreward by renowned expert Carla Yanni examining their evolution and subsequent fall from grace, accompanying writings by Matt Van der Velde detailing their respective histories, Abandoned Asylums will shine some light on the glorious, and sometimes infamous institutions that have for so long been shrouded in darkness.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Italy.An exceptional photographic guide to once grand and now abandoned buildings in Italy. Robin Brinaert has been travelling around Italy for over eight years in search of these abandoned, forbidden places. He highlights the sometimes dramatic fate of our heritage - a serious reflection on safeguarding.Inside Abandoned Italy you can discover the former hunting lodge of the Duchess of Parma, a spectacular abandoned Moorish castle, the remains of film studios with the scenery from a Pinocchio film, a disused psychiatric asylum, a famous but now-forgotten discotheque in a mock medieval castle, the ruins of a renowned spa hotel ravaged by fire...This photographic book, allows one to discover our abandoned, endangered and very often forgotten heritage. Each photograph is accompanied by the history of each place, so that the reader can travel through time and learn the story behind each forgotten place.

The first ever collection of photographs showing in detail the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's most important urban exploration site.The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was created by the Soviets in the 1950s - was from Baikonur in 1988 that the first Soviet spaceplane, Buran, was launched in response to the United States Space ShuttleThe Buran programme would officially end in 1993 during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin, with only one Buran launch ever taking place, in 1998. Thereafter, parts of the Baikonur Cosmodrome fell into disuse, notably the sites connected with the launch of these Soviet craft. The two shuttles that were completed remain abandoned there, laid to rest in this atmospheric place. This is the first time that photographs of these spectacular locations have been published in a book. The author, Jonk, travelled 20km through the Kazakh desert under cover of night, entered the hangars clandestinely, and spent three nights there under the radar of military security to produce a truly incredible photographic reportage of what is considered today the world's most important urban exploration site.Jonk reveals his excellent collection of photographs taken in the disused part of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. As well as providing us with these amazing pictures, he describes the incredible adventure of visiting a location that is unique in the world.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned religious buildings.Between 2012 and 2019 Francis Meslet photographed several hundred places of worship across Europe. Over time, these places have became enveloped in silence, the only thing heard there now an occasional gust of wind whistling though broken stained glass, or the rhythmic drip of water leaking through the dilapidated roof above a nave. Nevertheless, these muted places still draw an occasional visitor.Once upon a time, prayers could be heard recited in Latin in a German church; and in a French Catholic college, the voices of children once resounded to the sound of the bells. But who can imagine what sounds might be concealed behind the walls of a crypt in the heart of the Italian mountains, or within a tomb in a former convent in Portugal? In his spare time Francis travels the world in search of places that have fallen into disuse -- religious buildings where time has stood still since their doors were closed for the last time. He returns with incredible photographs, each a time capsule, a record of a parallel universe. They prompt us to let our imaginations wander and ask ourselves questions. With the greatest respect for the faithful who regularly visited them long ago, he offers us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in places that have been abandoned by faith, to seek a divine light.Award winning title:Gold medal in the 'Fine Art Book' category, Prix de la Photographie de Paris1st place in the 'Book' category, Prix de la Photographie de Paris1st prize in the curatorial selection for the Paris Photo Prize exhibition “State of the World” from October 25 to 31 2021 in Paris, Espace BeaurepaireHonourable Mention at the International Photography AwardsSilver medal at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) in the Photo Book category

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Spain.An outstanding photographic book that draws attention to the often dramatic fate of Spain's abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty. The locations featured all have their own stories to tell, in a variety of voices, but with one shared theme: the fall from grace.Towns bombed during the Spanish Civil War that were never rebuilt; an international railway station once teeming with Nazi and Allied double agents, now concealing a state-of-the-art dark matter research laboratory; a former munitions dump hewn out of the mountainside; a winery whose vast tanks form a unique architectural site; and various laboratories that have closed down, their experiments frozen in time Although the remains of the old town of Belchite and Canfranc railway station are popular with urban explorers in Spain, many other historic sites overlooked even by local people are on the brink of vanishing into oblivion.For the last ten years, the cameras of Fran Lens, Paco Quiles and Carlos Sanmillán have crisscrossed the country to record these abandoned locations for posterity. Their work is featured in this photo report infused with history and adrenaline.

Venice Deserted is an exceptional photographic report of the most beautiful city in the world under the exceptional circumstances of the Coronavirus lockdown in Spring 2020. During the Coronavirus lockdown in March, April and May 2020, Venice appeared completely deserted, as perhaps never before. Luc Carton, who has lived in Venice since 2005, took the chance to photograph the most beautiful city in the world under these exceptional circumstances. His images are a rare testimony to such strange times. A unique report that will probably never be replicated - let's hope so anyway ...

Beautiful yet haunting photographs of abandoned places in Lebanon – once thriving buildings now ravaged by nature and time are the subject of this fascinating, coffee table photo book.Lebanon is a country that still holds many secrets of what life was like there prior to the civil war, and more recently the Beirut port blast.Inside, we discover ruins, deserted buildings, and glamorous architecture all tucked away from the public eye. These include the abandoned mansion of a former prime minister, one of the most remarkable buildings in Zokak el-Blat, Beirut, a once glorious hotel now bearing its war wounds, a 17th-century palace in Deir El Qamar, and a stunning yet unfinished passion project, where each arch of the structure reflects a different civilisation.Award-winning photographer James Kerwin’s love affair with Lebanon started in 2017 when he began his research into locating interesting, unique, and abandoned architecture. That relationship grew stronger when he finally set foot in the country for the first time in 2019, and began uncovering these architectural delights.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned cinemas around the world. The ultimate visual reference from a skilled photographer.The packed audiences of darkened cinema rooms are no more. People are gradually drifting back home to lounge in front of a multitude of online platforms, far less expensive than a trip to the picture palace. Habits have changed… the cinema is no longer a world of magic.Movie theatres have lost their splendour, often pushed into the suburbs and choked left and right by fast-food chains as if they were ashamed to exist at all.However, some of this fabulous heritage dedicated to the stuff of dreams which cinemas once were still exists, especially in France. This is one of the few countries left where theatres are still being built, sometimes with audacious architecture. Also, France is a place where their demise is fervently denied. Sometimes, on a street corner, a forgotten but flamboyant façade recalls past glories. It’s there to remind everyone that cinema is immortal.Simon Edelstein, whether in search of decaying or completely abandoned historic cinemas, or exploring lovingly restored or spectacular contemporarybuildings, has scoured the roads of France for over 10 years, in ci:es and countryside, to seek out this exceptional heritage.

Discover the finest unusual hotels from around the world in this exceptional photographic guide. Have you ever slept in the cockpit of an old plane or in a train stationed on a bridge? How about spending the night in a see-through capsule stuck on the edge of a cliff, in a secret contemporary work of art, in an old church, or in a house sitting atop a water tower? Would you like to treat yourself to a night in an igloo, in a circus, in a futuristic tree house, in an underwater bedroom or at an open-air suite? Sometimes, hotels can be destinations in their own right. We took an immense pleasure in discovering and testing more than 50 unique hotels in some 30 different countries around the world, so that you can enjoy holidays that truly stand out of the ordinary.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places from around the world. The ultimate visual reference in urban exploration.These outstanding photographic reports aim to draw attention to the often dramatic fate of a country’s abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty. The locations featured all have their own stories to tell, in a variety of voices, but with one shared theme: the fall from grace.For fifteen years, Francis Meslet explored urban landscapes as a photographer of the poetry of ruins. Drawing on this experience, with the aid of artificial intelligence, he now takes us on a journey to discover an abandoned world in a not-so-distant future. Nature relentlessly reclaiming Europe’s largest deserted librariesOpen-air ruins of the most beautiful theatresVast industrial remains frozen in timeParis under the threat of missilesThe ashes of Notre Dame Cathedral which has succumbed to the flames…Meslet’s work is much more than merely imaginary iconographic documentation. It is an attempt to reconcile the future and the past, a meditation on the fragility of collective memory. As a hunter of ephemeral moments, his generative art images reveal the duality of time, the coexistence of decay and splendour. With his keen eye, he has taken on the guise of a poet of decrepitude, capturing the soul of neglect, turning each image into a silent cry in the desert of contemporary indifference.

Discover the Hidden Theatres of ParisStep beyond the spotlight and into the atmospheric world of Paris’s lesser-known theatres, cinemas and performance spaces. Through the lens of Dimitri Bourriau, this beautifully crafted photography book captures the architectural elegance, preserved interiors and cultural heritage of venues often unseen by the public.Blending visual poetry with documentary precision, each image reveals a unique facet of artistic Paris—from grand historic auditoriums to intimate, forgotten stages. This is more than a photography book; it is a journey into the heart of the city’s creative soul.Why you’ll love this book:Stunning interior and architectural photography of Parisian theatres and cinemasExplores hidden locations and cultural heritage rarely open to the publicPerfect for fans of Paris, art, history and performing artsA beautifully presented coffee table book and ideal giftCaptures both iconic venues and forgotten spacesWhether you’re passionate about architecture, fascinated by theatre history, or simply love Paris, this book offers a fresh and immersive perspective on the city’s rich artistic landscape.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned cinemas in India. The ultimate visual reference from skilled photographers.An outstanding photographic report which draws attention to the often dramatic fate of India's abandoned heritage and its frequently forgotten beauty.In India, large movie theatres are shutting down one after another. Crushed by the rise of multiplexes and undermined by destructive urban policies, thousands of single-screen cinemas have closed their doors, leaving behind torn seats, silent projectors, and the memories of a popular, vibrant, and lively cinema culture. For nearly 20 years, Simon Edelstein and Elisabeth Christeler travelled across India in search of these abandoned or still-standing venues. Faded façades, creaking ticket booths, drowsy spectators dozing in the heat... Through their lens, we discover a cinephile India - exuberant and deeply human— like a final screening before extinction.

Discover the hidden side of Art Nouveau—beyond the familiar icons.Behind its most celebrated masterpieces lies a more intimate world of secret places and forgotten wonders. Secret Art Nouveau unveils 70 exceptional yet little-known sites across Europe - from ornate villas and grand casinos to bathhouses, winter gardens, fountains, and secluded architectural treasures.The result of over a decade of dedicated research and privileged access, this exquisite volume brings together the striking photography of Phil Lewis and the expert insights of Heike Maria Johenning. Their work reveals the intricate motifs, symbolism, and cultural connections that define Art Nouveau across 20 European countries, from France to Hungary, via Italy, Spain and Romania.Far removed from the well-trodden landmarks, these rare locations - often hidden behind closed doors or nestled in unexpected cities - offer a fresh, refined perspective on one of Europe’s most captivating artistic movements. Richly illustrated and beautifully produced, this is a book to return to again and again.Why you’ll love this book:A curated selection of 70 rare and hidden Art Nouveau sitesExceptional photography with exclusive access to private locationsInsightful exploration of design, symbolism, and European influencesA refined, high-quality volume ideal for displayAn elegant gift for collectors and lovers of art, architecture, and travel A captivating addition to any library, Secret Art Nouveau invites you to explore a more intimate and unexpected vision of Europe’s artistic heritage - one that rewards curiosity and reveals beauty where few think to look

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Italy.An exceptional photographic guide to once grand and now abandoned buildings in Italy. Robin Brinaert has been travelling around Italy for over eight years in search of these abandoned, forbidden places. He highlights the sometimes dramatic fate of our heritage - a serious reflection on safeguarding.Inside Abandoned Italy you can discover the former hunting lodge of the Duchess of Parma, a spectacular abandoned Moorish castle, the remains of film studios with the scenery from a Pinocchio film, a disused psychiatric asylum, a famous but now-forgotten discotheque in a mock medieval castle, the ruins of a renowned spa hotel ravaged by fire...This photographic book, allows one to discover our abandoned, endangered and very often forgotten heritage. Each photograph is accompanied by the history of each place, so that the reader can travel through time and learn the story behind each forgotten place.

Discover France’s Hidden, Abandoned Places – A Haunting Photographic Journey Through Forgotten HeritageStep off the beaten path and explore the haunting beauty of France’s abandoned locations. From the silent steelworks of Gandrange to the towering blast furnaces of Uckange in Lorraine, this striking photography book uncovers a world few ever see. Wander through a warship graveyard on the Crozon peninsula, uncover a forgotten castle near Paris, step inside an eerie Alpine sanatorium, and admire the fading grandeur of an Art Deco concert hall in northern France.Blending powerful storytelling with atmospheric imagery, this book shines a light on neglected and off-limits sites—capturing fragile spaces that stand as silent witnesses to a disappearing past. Both visually stunning and thought-provoking, it offers a unique perspective on heritage, decay, and memory.Key Features:Stunning photography of abandoned places in FranceIndustrial ruins, forgotten buildings, and hidden locationsExplore regions including Lorraine, the Alps, and Paris outskirtsA visual record of endangered cultural and historical sitesPerfect for fans of urban exploration, architecture, and historyCombines artistic photography with a powerful social messageIdeal for lovers of urban exploration, photography books, French history, and abandoned architecture.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places in Japan.Japan is often thought of as a place where the modern world and ancient traditions meet in surprising and fascinating ways. The rapid pace of technological, social and cultural change throughout the 20th century propelled the country forward but left countless establishments, industries and entire towns deserted.Through his photography Jordy Meow explores these forgotten places and sheds light on a lost world that was thriving just a few decades ago. Abandoned Japan documents famed ruins (haikyo in Japanese) such as Gunkanjima, the island featured in the Bond movie Skyfall, which once had a population of over 5,000 but is now completely abandoned, and the Disneyland-inspired Nara Dreamland theme park. Beyond these well-known sites, Jordy Meow also takes us on a journey through every aspect of a rapidly disappearing past: from schools and hospitals to industrial sites and nightlife, including strip clubs and love hotels. The ruins captured here range from the quaint and serene to the dark and nightmarish. Some have an atmosphere reminiscent of the animation films of Studio Ghibli while others seem almost dystopian. These places show that people can leave a lasting mark on their environment but, given the chance, nature finds its way back.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of abandoned places, rediscovering our forgotten heritage. 'No Entry', 'Dangerous Site Keep Out' and 'Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted' are common sights on walls or perimeter fences around many of the world's abandoned sites. These warnings allude to potential dangers and prove an ineffective deterrent against thieves and vandals. To the urban explorer/photographer these signs simply serve to whet the appetite for the promise of hidden wonders that may lie beyond.For those who ignore the warnings and climb the fences, what awaits is usually worth the risks. Vast industrial spaces that feel more like an alien landscape or poignant residential settings, which are slowly surrendering to the inexorable advance of nature. Places once alive with sound and movement, now silent and still, but no less sensory. Immense and powerful beauty resides in these forgotten places. For some, just getting inside a location to experience this alternative form of sightseeing is enough to satisfy a desire to simply go where one shouldn't. But for some there is a need to capture the essence of a location in words and pictures, giving others a metaphorical leg-up over the fences, to walk them through the remaining ruins. Matt Emmett falls into the latter of these groups, travelling regularly to places in the UK and across Europe. He seeks out vast power stations and their cooling towers, steel works, mines, bunkers, tunnels, schools, engine sheds, hotels, castles and a myriad of other buildings. All have their own stories to tell in a variety of voices and without the distraction, sounds and people who inhabited them, those stories are clear and strong and the character of each location is laid bare.Architectural DigestPhotographer Matt Emmett has made a name for himself by pushing the boundaries to capture epic imagery of Europe's most forgotten ruinsInternational Business TimesMatt Emmett's 'Forgotten Heritage' photography project uncovers the brutal beauty of abandoned buildings and derelict industry.Winner of Historical Photographer of the Year 2017.

Beautiful, haunting photographs of once-glorious and now abandoned movie theatres across America.In the early 20th century the streets of small towns and cities across America were filled with the lights and sounds of movie theatres. The most opulent, known as 'movie palaces', were designed to make their patrons feel like royalty; people would dress up to visit. But as time went on it became harder and harder to fill the 2,000+ seat theatres and many were forced to close. Today, these palaces are illuminated only by the flicker of dying lights. The sound of water dripping from holes in the ceiling echoes through the auditoriums.In After the Final Curtain (Volume 2) internationally-renowned photographer Matt Lambros continues his travels across the United States, documenting these once elegant buildings. From the supposedly haunted Pacific Warner Theatre in Los Angeles to the Orpheum Theatre in New Bedford, MA (which opened the same day the Titanic sank) Lambros pulls back the curtain to reveal what is left, giving these palaces a chance to shine again.