Latest news with #darktourism
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Incredible sacrifice of tiny English village that's become a haven for dark tourism 359 years later
A LOT of historic sites are shrouded in suffering and death, but one UK town is known entirely for its tragic past. Eyam in Derbyshire suffered mass casualties during the Black Death, establishing itself as a haven for dark tourism centuries later. 4 The Peak District village lost a staggering 260 villagers in just 14 months as the plague spread across England. Given the town at the time only housed 350 residents, this loss was felt all the more by those in the area. After the spread of the Black Death in the 1660s, Eyam earned the title of "plague village". The bubonic plague first wreaked havoc worldwide in the 1300s before another outbreak in England during the 1660s. It claimed over 68,000 lives in London alone during this period. The deadly disease eventually made its way north, reaching Eyam in the summer of 1665. In a bid to shield neighbouring villages, Eyam's inhabitants bravely chose to isolate themselves after symptoms of the plague were reported within its borders. A boundary stone, which remains to this day, was erected between plague-ridden Eyam and the nearby unaffected town of Stoney Middleton. Eyam's residents would make their way to this stone to deposit vinegar-soaked money in exchange for food and medical supplies, left by Stoney Middleton's inhabitants. Today, visitors to Eyam can witness the lasting impact of the plague outbreak on the village. English seaside town to transform abandoned beach shelters into new attraction There are numerous graves scattered throughout the village and surrounding fields as families were urged to bury their deceased near their homes instead of in the church graveyard. These stringent rules were established by Reverend William Mompesson and Puritan minister Thomas Stanley. They also opted to move all church services outdoors and ensured no one could enter or leave the village. A recent visitor to Eyam shared a heartbreaking love story that has become part of the folklore surrounding the plague-stricken village. "In 1665, the plague hit Eyam and they locked down the village, separating Emmott Sydall from her fiancé Rowland Torre," the tourist said in an Instagram post. Eyam during the plague The Black Death is thought to have first arrived to the village in September 1665. Historians have hypothesised the disease was brought to Eyam via a parcel of cloth delivered from London to a local tailor. The cloth is believed to have been infested with plague-carrying fleas. During the 14-month voluntary quarantine, 75% of the town's residents passed away. One resident, Elizabeth Hancock, buried her husband and six children with her own hands within eight days. Plague cottages, where victims lived and died, still stand in the town today. "Emmott and Rowland would meet at the village boundary once a week, keeping their distance so he wouldn't contract the disease. "One day, Emmott didn't show up, when the lockdown was lifted, Rowland was among the first to enter the village in search of Emmott." A plaque indicates that Emmott was one of the village's many victims of the black death. The romantic rendezvous of the two at the village boundary has been immortalised in a stained glass image visible in Eyam's St Lawrence's Church. More on dark tourism Plus, the stunning paradise island with WW2 wrecks that has also become a haven for dark tourism. And the darkest and weirdest weekend breaks across Europe. Dark tourism has reached all corners of the globe, with many visiting suicide forests and nuclear disaster zones. Some thrillseekers even risk death in the world's most dangerous countries. 4 4
The Sun
09-07-2025
- The Sun
Look around the stunning paradise island with WW2 wrecks, that's become a haven for dark tourism
A REMOTE paradise island, littered with abandoned World War II wrecks, has become a popular destination for dark tourists. During the Second World War, battles spread to the Pacific, where Japanese and American troops fought on tiny islands. 7 7 7 One of these islands has now become a playground for history fans, who flock to look at the abundance of abandoned tanks and ships. In 1944, Peleliu, a small island in Micronesia, was the site of a bloody battle between the US and Japan. The battle raged on for almost two months between September 15 and November 27, with 10,900 Japanese troops and 1600 US troops killed in action. It became one of the bloodiest battles to take place in the Pacific during the war, with the Americans claiming victory. More than 60 Japanese ships were destroyed in the area, many of which remain underwater today. Japan managed to salvage some of the ships, but those that weren't saved have now become covered in coral and marine life, making them a haven for divers. One of the most visited wrecks is Teshio Maru which was damaged by US aircraft during the brutal battle. 7 Those who venture underwater to see the shipwreck can marvel at the deck gun, which is visible at the front of the boat. Chuyo Maru, which was hit by a US bomb is still mostly intact, making it another popular choice for divers. An anti-aircraft gun can be spotted at the back of the boat, which lies upright on the seabed. The Helmet Wreck, which was found by divers exploring the area, still has depth chargers on board, whilst Jake's Seaplane is partly visible from the surface. The island is also littered with rusty abandoned tanks, with trees sprouting out of the top and vines looping around the body. Visitors to the island can pay to take a guided tour of the tanks, plus bunkers and an old Japanese airstrip. The island also has a museum filled with artefacts from the battle. Travellers can also visit Orange Beach, where US troops first arrived to the island. And eagle-eyed tourists may even be able to spot bullets and shells in the sea or on the island. What is dark tourism? Dark tourism, also called grief tourism or thanatourism means visiting sites associated with disaster or suffering. Examples of popular dark tourism locations are Aushwitz in Poland and Chernobyl in Ukraine. This type of tourism has soared in recent years, although some experts have questioned its ethics and whether it is respectful to families of victims. 7 7 7
ABC News
02-07-2025
- ABC News
Dark tourism, death, design, and the macabre — should some places stay untouched?
Join Natasha Mitchell and guests on why dark tourism is increasingly popular, why sites of suffering like old gaols, asylums, orphanages hold a certain allure. Can we honour their dark heart and histories, whilst also re-imagining their future? Should some 'traumascapes' be left untouched so the scars of the past are never forgotten, or can we turn them into happier settings with sensitivity? How do designers, developers, and historians tread such tricky terrain? This event was organised by Open House Melbourne and held in the Old Melbourne Gaol during Melbourne Design Week 2025. Speakers Dr Sue Hodges Heritage interpretations specialist Managing director, international consultancy SHP (Sue Hodges Productions Pty Ltd) Erwin Taal Senior Associate International landscape architect and urban design studio ASPECT Studios
The National
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Exploring the colourful side of Warsaw: Red-brick resilience and neon nightlife
Landing the day previous, I set out to explore Warsaw on June 4. The date marks 36 years since the first elections that led to the dissolution of the communist government in Poland. People may have breathed a sigh of relief, but the cities and society at large would need rebuilding – something Warsaw has done time and time again, notably during both world wars. As much as 85 per cent of the capital was flattened by the Nazi regime as they occupied the territory in 1939 during the Second World War; a deliberate message to the world. Then, civilians – particularly the previously thriving Jewish community – were terrorised and brutally murdered in their hundreds of thousands. It's this sordid past that often marks Warsaw as a destination for dark tourism, and this isn't something the people of modern-day Poland shy away from. 'We have wounds,' my guide, Piotr, tells me as we walk around the Old Town. 'Maybe because of these wounds, we are not like Prague or Florence. But on the other hand, we have a story to tell.' This is undeniable as you explore the city. Visit the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, walk the line where the walls of the Jewish ghetto once stood, or leave the city borders to pay your respects at one of the camps where unspeakable tragedy occurred. Look up as you wander the streets, and you'll spot walls tarnished by bullet holes, on display as a reminder of the people's resistance. 'We are proud of our scars,' Piotr adds. While it's important not to shy away, dark moments in its past shouldn't overshadow the Warsaw of today. From red-brick buildings to neon lights, here's what the colourful side of the city has to offer. Green: Tree-lined streets and thriving veggie dining scene Leaving the UAE in the wake of the hottest May on record, I eagerly pencil in a spring visit to Lazienki Park. Walking through the expansive grounds, which span about 76 hectares, I stumble upon a statue of Poland's international treasure, Frederic Chopin, the composer and virtuoso pianist. It's no twist of fate, however, as it's hard to go too far in his birth town without spotting an homage to him. But this spot is extra-special, as for 66 years, free summer concerts have been held around Chopin's statue in the park every Sunday, keeping his legacy alive. Nature isn't confined to small squares and the odd city park, either. Linden and maple trees line the streets, while the University of Warsaw Library's rooftop garden is an ideal spot to contemplate while surrounded by greenery. Kampinos National Park, on the north-western outskirts of the city, is worth a visit too. Verdant in more ways than one, Warsaw also has more vegan eateries per capita than any other city in Europe. During my visit, I visit vegan bakery Eter for gorgeous sticky buns and matcha, and head to a lovely lunch of artichoke flatbread and tofu stir-fry at the vegetarian Secret Life Cafe. It's not just the specialised eateries, either; at Nobu, the team pull together a seven-course degustation menu for both vegetarians and vegans. Poland's flag isn't hard to spot in the streets of Warsaw, its red and white stripes waving proudly. The colours have long been associated with national pride; the red represents courage, and it's a sentiment you can practically inhale when navigating the city. Sometimes, it is jubilantly obvious, like the endless pride over Chopin. Even the airport we arrive in from Abu Dhabi shares its moniker with the musician. At other times, this pride and persistence are more subtle. Taking a pew in Holy Cross Church, home to the relic of Chopin's heart (supposedly his dying wish to his sister as he found his fame in foreign lands), you need only glance at the alter to spot the step that sticks outs in its beautifully rebuilt surroundings; a stone survivor of the church's destruction from a Nazi bulldozer. There is no attempt at camouflage. It's a theme throughout Warsaw's Old Town, its entirety being a Unesco Heritage site. Despite being almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it was slowly rebuilt in the years after. Working around and preserving any trace of the city that still stood, reconstruction efforts went into not only restoring its prewar beauty brick by brick, but also mirroring the paintwork of Italian landscape artist Bernardo Bellotto, who likewise fell in love with the city when he visited in 1767. Neon: Electric nightlife and warehouse glow-ups We're not short of malls in the UAE, but that won't stop me from a shopping excursion when on my travels. I head to Elektrownia Powisle, located in the lively Powisle neighbourhood. It's not just the shops that have allure; in a past life, the building served as a power plant. Initially opened in 1904, the plant stood firm through the city's trials and tribulations of the 20th century, finally shutting shop in 2001. Preserving its past, it still possesses a neon glow and retains much of its original structure, including the bullet wounds. Although I can't resist the beauty hall, it's worth visiting without spending even a groschen. Just wander the food court for a crash course in nailing neon menu art. Elektrownia Powisle is one of many following this path; Hala Koszyki is a basket factory that became a food court; Fabryka Norblina was a metalwork factory and now stands as a culture and entertainment hub, as well as office and retail space. And if you're a moth to a neon light, weave in a visit to the Neon Museum, as it is home to signs that lit up the country during the Cold War. It will reopen at a new location, in the Palace of Culture and Science, in July. From the seasonal Night Market nestled in the former Central Railway Station to the bars I peek into as I walk the city, the fun aesthetic still reigns supreme. Gold: Nobel gongs and culture champions 'We are the birthplace of heroes,' Piotr tells me as we reach the New Town. 'But our heroes tend to live and die out of Poland,' he adds. Fresh from the Royal Route and Old Town, which could easily be renamed Chopin's Way, he delivers the line as we stand outside the birthplace of the legendary scientist Marie Curie. Curie's early years were spent in Poland before moving to Paris for further study. Through her scientific discoveries and research into radioactivity, which revolutionised modern medicine, she made a lasting mark on history. She became not only the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but also the only person to have won prizes in two scientific fields: chemistry and physics. Now, the 18th-century abode where she was born stands as the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Museum. It's not the only nod to Nobel winners in the city. In Lazienki Park stands a statue of Henryk Sienkiewicz. Even before I'm close enough to inspect, I can detect it's an ode to a writer, the pensive stance and cast-away sheets at his feet giving him away. The gong-winning author's historical novels ran as newspaper instalments throughout the late 1880s. Sienkiewicz travelled plenty, lived for many years in the US, and eventually died in Switzerland. Maybe Piotr has a point. However, a quick Google search tells me that Poland's most recent Nobel laureate, Olga Tokarczuk, who studied at the University of Warsaw and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2018, still resides in Walbrzych. Such commemorations are just another clue into how much Warsaw values its legacy and heritage. Take the Palace of Culture and Science itself. Now home to museums, cinemas, theatres and likewise cultural institutes, it was built under Soviet rule to imitate the palaces of Russia, a so-called 'gift' that was known as Stalin's palace. When added to the registry of cultural heritage in Poland in 2007, controversy arose, with some calling it a symbol of oppression that ought to be torn down. Yet, championing culture without eradicating dark history triumphed once again. Perhaps it's simply time for the central European country to truly reclaim its narrative. Home to temporary shows now, the Polish History Museum – a stunning building boasting a grey marble cut-stone facade – is set to house a permanent exhibition by 2026. 'Every few years, you can find some new things about this city,' Piotr explains. 'It's a changing place, you know. Warsaw has not finished its reconstruction.' Although there is room for growth, people like Piotr have already struck gold with life in this city, he says. 'I'm travelling a lot. I'm going to London, Paris, Berlin and so on. Yet still, I do like being here.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
English village where lovers were separated by plague is now a haven for dark tourism
A quaint village in Derbyshire has become a hotspot for dark tourism, owing to its sorrowful past that traces back to the Black Death in the 1660s. Over the centuries, the Peak District hamlet of Eyam has earned the moniker 'plague village', following the demise of 260 villagers within a span of 14 months. The bubonic plague, which first swept across the globe in the 1300s, has claimed innumerable lives. A particularly catastrophic outbreak engulfed England in the 1660s, causing over 68,000 fatalities in London alone. Eventually, this lethal contagion reached Eyam in the summer of 1665. In an act of self-sacrifice to safeguard neighbouring villages, the inhabitants of Eyam chose to isolate themselves from the surrounding settlements. READ MORE: The beautiful UK hidden gem that's reminiscent of a scene from a Disney movie READ MORE: One of UK's best beaches has a dark past and is a 'graveyard' for 300 ships A boundary stone, still visible today, was erected between Eyam, plagued by the disease, and the nearby unaffected town of Stoney Middleton. At this stone, Eyam's residents would deposit vinegar-soaked money in exchange for food and medical supplies, provided by the people of Stoney Middleton. Modern-day visitors to Eyam can witness the enduring impact of the plague, with numerous graves scattered throughout the village and adjacent fields. Families were urged to inter their deceased relatives near their homes instead of the church graveyard. Jackie Todd, a recent visitor to Eyam, took to Instagram to share a heartbreaking love tale that has become woven into the folklore of the plague-stricken village of Eyam. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jackie Todd (@jackietodd_) In a video recounting this story from her visit, Jackie penned: "In 1665, the plague hit Eyam and they locked down the village, separating Emmott Sydall from her fiancé Rowland Torre. "Once a week, Emmott and Rowland met at the village boundary, at a distance so he wouldn't catch the disease. One day, Emmott didn't show up. When the lockdown lifted, Rowland was one of the first to enter the village looking for Emmott." She then displayed a plaque indicating that Emmott was tragically among those who succumbed to the black death. The star-crossed lovers and their rendezvous at the village boundary have been eternally captured in a stained glass depiction visible in Eyam's St Lawrence's Church.
