The village of Oradour-sur-Glane has stood in ruins since 1944. It is a very powerful dark tourist destination. On 10 June 1944, the village, that was in the heart of Nazi-occupied France, was destroyed by a German Waffen-SS company. In … Read More
The Patarei Sea Fortress in Tallinn was built by Nicholas I in 1840. Originally used as an army barracks, by 1919 the cold, inhospitable site was converted into a Soviet prison. It was used throughout both the Russian and Nazi … Read More
The abandoned beach resort Varosha is a very strange place. Where else can tourists sip cocktails beside the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, while gazing towards a fenced-off, forbidden ghost town, where entry is illegal and could result in being … Read More
As far as towns go, it doesn’t get much more charming than Hallstatt in Austria. Tucked away at the edge of a forested mountain in the Austrian Alps, complete with the crystal blue waters of Hallstatt lake, it’s a destination … Read More
A dark tourist in Paris will usually check out the Catacombs. They are undoubtedly a popular site on the itinerary. However, if you ask me, the Musee Fragonard d’Alfort is a must-see trip for those that like their macabre to … Read More
![The Cadaver Tomb of René of Chalon [Dark Tourism in France]](https://darktourists.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Cadaver-Tomb-of-René-of-Chalon-Dark-Tourism-in-France.jpg)
For anyone up for a macabre photo opportunity that wouldn’t offend, (see my point on taking selfies at Dark Tourist destinations to understand more on that); the statue of René de Chalon’s rotting corpse at the Saint-Étienne church, in Bar-le-Duc is … Read More
For any dark tourist making a trip to Edinburgh, Mary King’s Close is definitely worth a visit. The story alone is enough to make your hairs prickle, (or maybe that’s just me whenever I see the infamous image of the … Read More
Unraveling the truth from the myth of Houska Castle isn’t easy. What we do know is that the castle was built in the second half of the 13th century. However, the reason is unclear and in some ways depends on … Read More
Dargavs Village, also known as the City of the Dead is one of many mysterious dark tourist sites you can visit in Russia. It’s location, tucked away among the ridges of the Caucasus mountains, mean that only the most committed … Read More
The largest underground complex of tunnels in the UK is actually open to the public. Beneath Kingsford Country Park, the Drakelow Tunnels are a former “Top Secret”, underground military center, spanning over 3.5 miles. If you happen to be anywhere … Read More
Romania has its fair share of beautiful gothic castles and amidst the striking landscape of Transylvania, Corvin Castle is one of the most enchanting. It is also one of the largest castles in Europe and Romanians are justly proud of … Read More
My interest in dark tourism is very much connected to the fact I am an adventure traveler. I like nothing more than going off the beaten track. I also love history. Dark Tourism is a way to combine both in … Read More
The Belgium section of the Western Front during WW1 became known as the Trench of Death. As 1914 drew to a close, the Battle of the Yser was one of a number of bloody engagements that managed to hold back … Read More
Like many dark tourism destinations, when you initially arrive at the location it is difficult to connect what you see in front of you, with the human suffering that took place there. That definitely applies to the former KGB headquarters … Read More
If you happen to be taking a vacation on the Black Sea, or checking out Sochi, you might want to visit Stalin’s summer retreat. The great tyrant’s dacha, Zelenaya Roscha, still stands very much as it was in the days … Read More
On the 16th of October 2006, two Russian men walked along Grosvenor Street, a wealthy area of central London. Their names were Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun and they had been sent to this location under very special circumstances. In … Read More
The East German Stasi (Ministry of State Security) needs no introduction to the average dark tourism enthusiast. The infamous secret police force of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was one of the most feared in the world. It considered itself … Read More
In the spring of 2017, I traveled the Trans Siberian from East to west. I started in Beijing and finished in Moscow, a route I highly recommend as far fewer tourists take it. Along the journey, I was able to … Read More