I was lucky enough to visit this incredible city and Chernobyl before the war raged through the place. I was due to return for a week to explore more but the same month the war broke out.. On the 26th April 1986 an explosion in one of the nuclear reactors in Chernobyl sent massive amounts of radiation into the atmosphere. Over a period of a few days over 50,000 people had to be evacuated to other towns and cities.
The town still stands abandoned.. Alot of history can be found online about it. This gives you an idea of how vast the city is, I got to stand on top of the highest building and watch the sun rise while supping hot chocolate and taking in the amazing view... and total silence.. a very unnerving silence..
Because of the speed the evacuation had to take place in order to try and save thousands from the deadly radiation everything was left behind, pets included. People were asked to pack a small bag and leave in the dozens of buses that awaited them. They never returned. Ever.. The city housed everything that a normal city would.. hospitals, nurseries..
Schools.. sports halls..
shops.. leisure facilities.. summer camps..
The iconic Amusement park
Swimming Pool.. now famous for a scene in an online game call of duty..
One of the schools had a sea of gasmasks left scattered all over the floors.. The children would regularly have to do gas mask drills incase of such incidents..
Very slowly the wildlife has started to make its way back, elks, wolfs, dogs, cats and foxes can all be seen wandering around the forests.. some are looked after by the power plant workers, who are still working on containing the reactor.. they are able to live neaeby as the radiation levels are satisfactory. Everywhere you go you take a geiger metre with you and when the radiation levels rise in areas it beeps to warn you.
I was really lucky to be able to have a week here staying within the zone.. to wake up every morning and look out around me to see nothing but abandonment.. I tried to visualise what it would of been like to wake up one day and leave your whole life behind you never to return.. I can only imagine how the people felt.. 😔
I really do hope that one day when peace is restored I will get to explore more of this incredible place.
[//]:# (!pinmapple 51.41955 lat 30.05986 long pripyat the abandoned city d3scr)
Honestly, just by thinking about the facts of the past and the present situation on your pictures it is giving me some kind of negative vibes huh. It's like being in a movie and you are deserted alone and you task is to find the route to the exit. In between you meet exclusive things (indescribable) and later you get to face death and so on.
That was really a ninjaying experience for the day!
love your imagination!!!! it felt a bit like that too!!
Tame foxes? They look it, but I would be after keeping my fingers safe.
yes.. they wander about.. the only food they really get is from people.. they arnt like foxes we know.. their more like a dog, really tame.. sod chuvving my hand out to a fox here 🤣
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Everything looks beautiful and empty in the same time…!!
But my favourite photo is with the fox 🦊🤍
it is really beautiful.. like a wilderness.. the foxes are so sweet they behave just like dogs 😁
History, and craziness (knowing how all of this happened). We can really feel the atmosphere of the place from your pictures, that are beautiful (if such a term is acceptable in the present context).
I agree.. history and craziness.. I'm glad you enjoyed the post thankyou
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I don't know if it's because it's late at night and I don't have the heater on, or whether seeing your photos really makes me shiver. Just can't imagine suddenly have to leave your home and never to return ago, it's like you just lost your whole life, and can you actually start a new one?
it's an awful thought isn't it.. just having to get a small bag together and go.. 50,000 people. They left their entire lives and most went to live with other families they didn't know.. only to be told a while later they'd never go home..
Love the Fjällräven, bloody cold that time of year!!
yeah bloody minus 21!!!
springtime is so much more visitor friendly lol
This is SO COOL!! You are an exceptional photographer; I love the angles you chose! What a chilling yet absolutely fascinating post... when I got to the photo of the Tvs I looked at the reflection... and didn't see you. Nodding to myself I said "yes of course, she's a vampire, how else would she be doing something so awesome??" 😂 Thanks for sharing this rare look into Chernobyl, it was a blast to look through!
ha!!! always fancied being a vampire! ide be happy flying about all night!! and thankyou