Weird Sculptures in the Forest. A Visit of the Outsider’s House [Czech Republic]

Posted on January 9, 2022February 5, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

It doesn’t happen too often to see such an extraordinary place. A small cabin in the forest somewhere in the Czech Republic surrounded by plenty of weird sculptures sticks in mind for a long time. The unusual artworks have been created by an homeless outsider who has lived there since 20 years. The sculptures are made from various rubbish which combined together turned into something incredible—spectacular creatures that can easily compete with professional. Seeing them you can only admire the author’s creativity and feel sorry for the art galleries because of not storing these masterpieces.

Taken over by Nature. Exploring the Cute Abandoned Villa [Serbia]

Posted on January 8, 2022February 5, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

An easy to jump over the fence doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be also simple to access the building surrounded by it. This abandoned villa in Serbia is ‘guarded’ by a thick jungle of plants. Nevertheless its fairytale look invites to come closer, no matter that it means a fight with almighty vegetation. So cute from the outside, this villa is quite damaged inside. Despite its poor condition, the building still hides a few quite photogenic decaying rooms and is worth some shots.

The Magic of Sunrise. An Early Morning in the Abandoned Church [Serbia]

Posted on December 16, 2021February 5, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

Have you ever visited one place twice during the same trip abroad? I always try to see as much as possible, so that wouldn’t be the most rational thing to do when the time is so limited. Nevertheless, I couldn’t miss a chance see this stunning abandoned church in Serbia painted in the colours of the earliest sunrise so I went there for the second time early in the morning, despite spending there a few hours already a day before and I don’t regret any minute spent there. The sunrise turned the temple into something magic and seeing it you can easily stuck there forever. I did my best to eternalise at least a little part of its beauty in the pictures, and here’s the outcome—enjoy the photos!

An Atheist’s Paradise. Exploring the Abandoned Sacral Miniatures Park [Poland]

Posted on December 15, 2021February 5, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

How would the world without religion look like? It’s unlikely that God will abandon the place that has created soon, but you can have a quick glimpse on that in paradoxically one of the most Catholic countries in Europe.

Kittens among the Pews. An Abandoned Church and Its Fluffy Inhabitants [Czech Republic]

Posted on August 4, 2021February 5, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

When I entered this church situated in a small village somewhere in the Czech Republic a few little kittens ran away in all directions and hid in the corners of the temple. The presence of the fluffy ‘inhabitants’ made me doubt a bit if the site can be treated as abandoned, nevertheless seeing its decaying walls and the ceiling which is literally about to fall down it’s sure that its doors have been closed for a long time. Same as in case of many other abandoned sacral places, the decay turned this church into something gloomy and beautiful at the same time and three hours spent there taking photos passed as one moment.

Lots of Art in the Non-artistic Place. The Surrealistic Firehouse [Czech Republic]

Posted on March 4, 2021February 4, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

What would you expect to find in the former firehouse? No matter what the answer is, you for sure surprised to see there so much art. Situated in a small village in the Czech Republic, this old building is definitely the most vivid one in the area. Its walls are covered with lots of paintings and unusual details which taken together turn this place into something surrealistic making it difficult to take eyes off.

After the Inhabitants Have (Not) Left. Exploring the Still Fully Furnished Abandoned House [Latvia]

Posted on February 6, 2021February 4, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

Something from the exploration of one of the least explored countries in Europe. This fully furnished abandoned house situated in one of the cities in Latvia hides a lot to be discovered. Even too much, taking into consideration some details whispering that the place still may be inhabited—no matter how symbolic they are.

The Liliputians Lived There. A Story about a Tiny Decaying Village [Czech Republic]

Posted on December 7, 2020February 4, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

I didn’t expect much from this place, but finally I ended up visiting it 3 times in one week. A decaying model of the village situated in the ‘real’ village in the Czech Republic was something that I had never seen before. Due to their small size, the houses would be suitable only for the Liliputians and it was enough to make a few steps in order to move from one side of the settlement to another. Nevertheless the buildings had so many details and taken all together created such an incredible place that I spent hours exploring it.

After the Last Shift. Exploring the Giant Abandoned Industrial Site [Latvia]

Posted on October 22, 2020February 4, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

A maze of metal constructions and massive machines. I have no idea how they function but I’m pretty sure that it would be enough to press just one button to make them work again. This huge abandoned industrial site in Latvia is so well preserved that the silence in its endless halls reminds you the end of shift rather than the shutdown of production.

Cute and Spooky. Creepy Dolls in the Forest [Germany]

Posted on October 16, 2020February 4, 2023 by Off the Beaten Track

Once cute dolls left for years in the forest which due to constantly changing weather conditions has turned into something creepy. This spooky site was supposed to be the least demanding location on that trip to Germany. No climbing over the walls or entering the buildings through the windows, just finding the spooky spot in the forest. However the closer I was the more unsure it felt. When I was planning this trip I had to blow away a thick layer of dust from the coordinates of this place. What if the location already doesn’t exist? What if having just approximate coordinates I won’t find the site and will spend the whole evening searching for it?