Exclusion zones, off-limits islands where animals have taken over, or beautiful places you will likely not see in your lifetime… Here are the top 10 places tourists are prohibited from visiting.
1. Zone Rouge
Frequently called the Red Zone, Zone Rouge is one of the most highly restricted areas globally. Situated in the northeastern region of France and left in seclusion following its devastation in the First World War, this area harbors numerous human and animal remains, along with a substantial presence of unexploded mines. Therefore, Zone Rouge has been considered too physically and environmentally precarious for human habitation.
2. Poveglia Island
Known as Ghost Island, this Italian island has consistently held the reputation as the most haunted location on Earth. The story tells of its role as a quarantine settlement for those suffering from the bubonic plague in the 1700s. In the early 20th century, it evolved into a mental institution, with speculations about unconventional medical tests conducted by some insane physicians at the site. No one is allowed to visit unless you have a special permit. As they say, visit at your own risk!
3. Mezhgorye
This represents a diminutive Russian settlement situated within the Earl Mountains. This location is entirely off-limits to all individuals. Some reports indicate that the ban is linked to the town’s nuclear weapons storage facility role. It also functions as the location for an extensive underground shelter used by the Russian government. Consequently, the town remains entirely secluded from the general population.
4. Snake Island
Located in Brazil, Snake Island is one of the most dangerous places in the world because it is literally filled to the brim with snakes. It was actually banned to protect the snakes there, considering the number of endangered species of snakes that live on the island. Only a few researchers and the Brazilian Navy are currently allowed there.
5. Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
With the tragic event of the accidental nuclear meltdown, the aftermath took many lives and made the area unsafe for human dwelling or settlement. Fast-forward several years, and almost all the places are safe for human living again except a small area called the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, which is off limits due to the remaining radioactive contamination, which is very dangerous.
6. Morgan Island
Frequently referred to as Monkey Island, Morgan Island serves as the residence for approximately 4000 Rhesus monkeys. These monkeys were not native to the South Carolina island; instead, they were transferred from Puerto Rico, where they had been residing in a research facility before being relocated to the island. Presently, strict regulations are in place prohibiting access to the island. Violating this restriction could result in the visitor going to jail.
7. North Brother Island
Located between the Bronx and Ryder’s Island, this island used to be the home of Riverside Hospital, which was used to quarantine those suffering from tuberculosis and smallpox. It was later used to house veterans after the second world war and then it became an addiction treatment facility, after which it was finally abandoned. It has been closed to the public ever since.
8. Fukushima Exclusion Zone
Back in 2011, there was the Fukushima Nuclear disaster which hit Japan, residents located within 18 miles of the plant were asked to evacuate the plant and today that area remains uninhabited. Similar to the Chernobyl Nuclear meltdown, they are the only events to receive a level 7 event classification on the international Nuclear events scale.
9. Lascaux Cave
The caves are home to over 600 parietal wall paintings that cover the interior walls and ceilings. Discovered in 1940 in Dordogne, in the southwest of France, the caves were listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for their incredible prehistoric painting. As such, they’ve attracted a lot of tourists which was not good for the paintings. The carbon dioxide that was exhaled by the tourists was damaging the paintings, and so the site was closed down in 1963.
10. Metro 2
During the administration of Josef Stalin, there was an underground metro tunnel system said to have been built. It’s known as the Metro 2 and code-named D6 by the KGB. It was said to have connected to the Federal Security Service, different government departments, and the Kremlin to a government airport. The metro also had a lot of apartments that could house a few officials and their families. Since its creation, it was never a tourist site unless you have the right level of clearance, but out of curiosity and adventure, it would be the number-one destination.
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