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ARCHIVE FILE · Lost Places
A place between decay and history
01 / A church in the woods
— An abandoned place full of mysteries
Sometimes unexpected places tell the most fascinating stories. Deep in the woods, I came across an abandoned church that raised more questions than answers. Even getting in was an adventure: an old, wobbly ladder led inside — and on the way out it finally collapsed beneath me. Fortunately, I escaped with a fright and a laugh at myself.
02 / FIELD NOTE
Experience the adventure in 360°
I filmed the whole experience with the Osmo 360, so you can experience the atmosphere up close, almost as if you were climbing through the church yourself.
Inside, an extraordinary scene unfolded:
An altar made from an old millstone,
an empty, open tabernacle,
shattered stained-glass windows that once cast coloured light into the nave.
But the strangest sight stood in the middle of the room: an abandoned carriage that seemed completely out of place — perhaps precisely what made it so fascinating.
03 / FIELD NOTE
An abandoned place with an eerie atmosphere
The church was abandoned long ago, but it still carries the trace of a bygone age. Every footstep echoes; every glance reveals another detail. For me, this is exactly what makes abandoned places so compelling: history slowly reclaimed by the forest, and moments you do not easily forget.
04 / Abandoned churches
between decay, risk and new meaning
Abandoned churches are silent witnesses to change. Around 10,000 places of worship could close in Germany by 2035, while more than 3,500 have already been abandoned in Britain since 2013. Declining membership, high maintenance costs and demographic change are the main reasons. Visitors often find smashed stained-glass windows, empty altars or improvised furnishings, while facing risks such as unstable structures and lead or asbestos contamination. Entering without permission constitutes trespassing under German law (§ 123 StGB). Nevertheless, cultural reuse and foundations can help preserve these places, which remain fascinating abandoned sites rich in history and atmosphere.