The World’s 16 Most Abandoned Spots

Kolmanskop, the ghost city in Namibia

In 1908, a black laborer discovered a diamond in this location, and the Germans constructed an entire city based only on diamond mining. The first miners were paid well, and everything from a hospital to a theater, as well as trams and casinos, was built. Nevertheless, the area’s diamond stock was depleted after World War I, and no mining was carried out. Ultimately, the city was completely demolished in 1954. Since then, only visitors have visited, but in large numbers, particularly photographers. Wonderful scenes can be created depicting how the desert reclaimed the city after the people had departed.