A couple of years ago I figured out a wisdom, which is funny, because it’s true. What’s in common between urban exploration and women? If you spot an opening, go for it. Next time the door may be closed. Which brings us to a small road in the middle of nowhere. There was a randomContinue reading “Five Pushes And A Sigh”
Author Archives: desertedfinland
They Still Wanted To Waste It
This beauty here is the former hospital of the town of Vammala. Built in 1938, it was a notable example of pre-war functionalistic architecture. It was a key building in the history of the town, considered an important landmark and was on a very visible spot in the town. So naturally they wanted to demolishContinue reading “They Still Wanted To Waste It”
It’s An Epidemic
For years now I’ve been complaining about old, 1930’s to 1950’s built school buildings being demolished around the country. Well, I’m going to keep on complaining, because here we go again. This is the former elementary school of Peipohja in Kokemäki, the very village, where I bought my dear summer car Alice. It was builtContinue reading “It’s An Epidemic”
Looked Wrong, Turned Out Right Part II
While I was looking for the old copper plant staff apartment area, which was demolished, I stumbled upon these buildings. But pretty soon I noticed, that something was different. The copper plant staff apartment buildings were wooden, these were made of bricks. This was something different. And indeed, these were the staff apartments of aContinue reading “Looked Wrong, Turned Out Right Part II”
Looked Wrong, Turned Out Right Part I
My following location was also familiar from my previous tours. It was the residential area of a large copper plant built after World War 2. The start looked promising. I found the first buildings on the edge of the area, which looked like they could still partially be in use. And I next stumbled uponContinue reading “Looked Wrong, Turned Out Right Part I”
Another School Gone To Waste
And so my journeys in the world of to be demolished municipal buildings continue. This time it was to be a former school closed just that very spring. Already it had been reported, that people had broken into the school, climbed to the roof, removed tiles and thrown them all around the yard. Built inContinue reading “Another School Gone To Waste”
Helpful Lists
Because Finland is such a strong democracy, almost every decision taken in municipalities and towns goes through the town council and multiple boards. Most of their lists are public, unless there are some exceptions. These lists have proved to be incredibly helpful in this hobby. That’s where I find out about city planning projects, whichContinue reading “Helpful Lists”
Sometimes They’ve Vanished While You’ve Been Gone
Like I’ve already stated numerous times, I’ve been touring Finland so much by now, that I have a massive Excel file with abandoned buildings. The summer of 2023 was all about touring places listed in that Excel. So far I had been disappointed by the amount of successess. Apart from the old town hall, IContinue reading “Sometimes They’ve Vanished While You’ve Been Gone”
Tree Houses And Sports Venues
The previous summer I had befriended a young indie artist. She guided me to her former home village and told to look for a former tree house, she used to play in as a kid. Well, didn’t find it so I received a tip about a former municipal pool and sports hall. Originally built inContinue reading “Tree Houses And Sports Venues”
No Entry, No Zucchini
Another familiar location. This here is a former leather factory, which I found back in 2022. During that visit I didn’t gain entry, but I was given zucchinis by the neighbours. I still failed to gain entry. As the neighbours weren’t home, there was no zucchini this time. I had to leave empty handed.