How One Explorer Finds Beauty In Europe’s Abandoned Underground

Urban explorers live by one rule: take photos, leave only footprints.

Damjan

• Published in Weird
• November 5, 2024

Urban exploration, or urbex, has become a fascinating hobby and a lifestyle for many thrill-seekers worldwide. This subculture explores abandoned, forgotten, or hidden locations, often off-limits to the public.

One of the most captivating parts of urbex is exploring underground places—spaces hidden beneath cities, lying dormant for decades, sometimes centuries.

These locations offer a mix of adventure, history, and beauty that captures the curiosity of those daring enough to wander beneath the surface. One urban explorer from Lithuania has made this journey his life’s passion.

Since 2011, he has traveled across Europe, dedicating himself to uncovering abandoned places, including the captivating underground landscapes often overlooked in bustling European cities.

From military bunkers and drainage systems to quarries and mines, his journey into the shadows of Europe provides a unique perspective on spaces that once had vibrant life and purpose but now sit silently, waiting to be discovered.

This explorer has visited nearly every European country and takes several significant yearly trips. In each location, he meticulously searches for abandoned and hidden spots, especially underground sites that have remained unseen by the general public for decades.

As noted in his accounts, these travels are thrilling and demanding, requiring precise planning, as many sites are hard to reach or heavily guarded. He shares that his passion for photography allows him to capture these places uniquely, using lighting techniques to highlight textures and details often missed by the naked eye.

Interesting and scary...

Fairytale Tunnel In Odesa

Disused Water Reservoir In Lithuania

Vilnius Underground

Urban exploration, especially in underground locations, comes with its rules and ethics. Many sites are restricted or dangerous, so urban explorers practice safe and respectful exploration.

Every responsible urban explorer should follow essential guidelines. The most crucial rule is to “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” This rule ensures that explorers do not disturb these locations, allowing future explorers to experience them in their authentic state.

Additionally, explorers are encouraged to respect legal boundaries. Many abandoned places, particularly underground sites, are privately owned or legally protected.

Trespassing can lead to severe consequences, both legally and for preserving these sites. Explorers often work within a tight network, sharing advice and resources while adhering to these ethical standards to promote safety and respect for the places they visit.

Abandoned Underground Submarine Base In Albania

Disused Subway Tunnel In Kyiv

An Unfinished Command Bunker In Kyiv

Regenwurmlager

Limestone Quarry In The Netherlands

Antwerp's Underground

Underground Nazi Factory "V2", France

Abandoned Train Tunnels In Europe

Budapest Metro Bunker

Quarries Around Paris

Mines In Slovakia

Huge Underground Space In A Mine In Slovakia

Deep Drainage Tunnel In Odesa Catacombs

Mines With Mushrooms, France

A Huge Canal In The Center Of Vienna

An Unfinished Hydroelectric Power Plant In Poland

Odesa Drainage And Sewerage

Prague's Underground

Underground Ammunition Factory In Albania

Maginot Line, France

Nazi Underground Factory "M", Germany

Nazi Underground Factory "A", Germany

Nazi Underground Factory "R", Germany

Nazi Underground Factory "S", Germany

Nazi Underground Factory "Q", Austria

Nazi Underground Factory "Z", Austria

Metro Construction

For urban explorers, Europe’s underground sites hold a distinct allure. These places are more than just locations; they are windows into the continent’s layered past, filled with untold stories. By venturing into these spaces, explorers gain a unique perspective on history, seeing firsthand the relics of a once lively world now tucked away from the public eye.

By sharing his photographs online, primarily through social media platforms like Instagram, this artist hopes to raise awareness of these hidden spaces and inspire others to appreciate Europe’s underground history.

Although urban exploration has risks and legal challenges, he emphasizes that responsible urbex enthusiasts follow ethical guidelines. According to his website, explorers should avoid vandalism, respect local regulations, and leave sites undisturbed to ensure they remain preserved for others.

Damjan