Attractions that no longer exist
Wawoma Tree, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Back in 1881 a tunnel was carved through this 2,100-year-old sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park. By the late 1910s (when it’s likely this photograph was taken) the tree was popular with tourists, keen to be pictured driving right through the 234-foot-high (71.3m) natural wonder. Even President Theodore Roosevelt visited in 1903.
Wawoma Tree, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
But during the harsh winter of 1969 the tree toppled to the ground. The weather that year brought heavy snow weighing down the tree and dampening the soil. However, it’s likely the weakening of the tree because of the tunnel was also a significant factor in its demise. While you can still see a remaining carved tree in Tuolumne County, California, no new tree tunnels have been cut in recent times to preserve these wonders of Mother Nature.
Buddhas of Bamiyan, Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Two mammoth Buddha statues – the tallest in the world, in fact – once looked out from a sandstone cliffside in Bamiyan. They were carved in the 6th century, with the tallest topping out at 180 feet (55m). But, in 2001, these Buddhist effigies were destroyed by the Taliban.
Buddhas of Bamiyan, Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Today vacant alcoves remain in the cliff, and the valley was labeled a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. In the years since their destruction, there has been much debate about whether or not to rebuild the towering Buddhas – so far, the closest the monuments have come to being resurrected is a hologram projected in the spaces they once stood.
Azure Window, Gozo, Malta
You might recognize this stunning natural formation – it’s been featured in Game of Thrones, The Count of Monte Cristo and Clash of Titans, as well as on many an Instagram feed. The arch was formed by the collapse of a coastal cave, probably in the 19th century, and was a popular spot for photographs.
Azure Window, Gozo, Malta
Duckbill Rock Formation, Oregon, USA
Duckbill Rock Formation, Oregon, USA
In 2016, the natural landmark was destroyed and a video showing vandals pushing the monument until it collapsed and crumbled emerged quickly afterwards. Now, though the famous formation is gone, Cape Kiwanda still pulls in visitors with its sweeping views of the Pacific, and its opportunities for hiking and hang gliding.
Pink and White Terraces, Lake Rotomahana, New Zealand
Pink and White Terraces, Lake Rotomahana, New Zealand
Chacaltaya glacier, Bolivia
Chacaltaya glacier, Bolivia
In 1998 experts predicted the glacier would survive until 2015 but, due to climate change, it melted six years earlier than estimated. Today, Chacaltaya is pretty barren – but, despite the lack of skiing, it remains a popular spot with mountaineers who take on the challenging hike to its summit. Now discover the world landmarks under threat from climate change.
Vidámpark, Budapest, Hungary
Vidámpark, Budapest, Hungary
Unfortunately, the theme park was forced to close in 2013 after several years of declining visitor numbers. The site was swallowed up as part of an expansion of the neighboring city zoo, though a few rides, including the century-old carousel, were maintained. Love this? Now check out the eerie abandoned theme parks around the world.
Guaíra Falls, Paraguay/Brazil
Thirty-seven years ago, on the border between Paraguay and Brazil, there lay one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. Comprising a series of 18 falls, with the tallest 130-feet-high (40m), this natural wonder attracted tourists from across the globe, who were captivated by its immense power and beauty.
Guaíra Falls, Paraguay/Brazil
In October 1982, the falls fell victim to a giant engineering project. They were closed and dynamited to create the Itaipu Dam, which now provides 75% of the electricity used by Paraguay and 25% of the electricity in Brazil. While this is clearly a viable source of renewable energy, whether it’s worth the price of such a wondrous natural spectacle is another question altogether. Now check out stunning pictures of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls.
West Pier, Brighton, England
Today, Brighton’s Palace Pier is a beloved attraction in this seaside town, but just along the coastline you’ll find the skeletal remains of an older pier. Opened in 1866, during the Victorian boom for seaside holidays, the West Pier featured a concert hall, funfair and tearoom and was extremely popular in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Take a look at vintage photos of family vacations from decades gone by.
West Pier, Brighton, England
Porcelain Tower, Nanjing, China
Porcelain Tower, Nanjing, China
Hippodrome Theater, New York City, USA
Hippodrome Theater, New York City, USA
As was the case for other grand turn-of-the-century buildings, the Hippodrome fell into the trap of high maintenance costs. Despite passing through the hands of numerous owners, it finally had to close in August 1939 and was demolished later that year. In the 1960s it was replaced by a parking lot and an office building, which has remained ever since. Discover more things to do in the Big Apple with our guide.
Jeffrey Pine, Yosemite, California, USA
Jeffrey Pine, Yosemite, California, USA
Love Locks Bridge, Paris, France
This quirky tradition saw tourists flocking to the City of Love to express their amour by signing theirs and their partner’s names on padlocks, before attaching them to the Pont des Arts over the River Seine. The practice became so popular that at one point the bridge contained one million padlocks weighing around 45 tons.
Love Locks Bridge, Paris, France
But, in a slightly ironic turn of events, part of the fence here broke in 2014, due to the weight of these symbols of “everlasting” love. The following year, city officials began to remove padlocks and replace the bridge’s metal grilles with plastic panels, which have now been replaced by glass panels. Determined to keep the tradition going, some have begun to attach padlocks to lampposts along the bridge instead. We reveal the top things to eat, see and do in Paris.
Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire, USA
Old Man of the Mountain, New Hampshire, USA
After existing for an estimated 12,000 years, the poor Old Man fell off the mountain one fateful night in May 2003. Local people mourned the loss of their mascot, creating a memorial in Profiler Plaza at the base of the mountain. This picture shows the now-missing section. Discover more places destroyed by the weather.
Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Penn Station, New York City, USA
Penn Station, New York City, USA
Today’s Penn Station – a smaller, underground network complete with neon lighting and all the mod cons – is a far cry from what it once was. But its modest size means that the now-increasing number of rail passengers puts an ever-surmounting strain on the building. As a result, plans have been put in place to expand it. Take a look at more American tourist attractions that no longer exist.
Royal Opera House, Valletta, Malta
When Valletta’s Royal Opera House was built in the 1860s, it was a neo-classical jewel drawing big-name Maltese and international artists, as well as up-and-coming acts. Sadly, though, its life was short. In the 1870s, the venue was ravaged by fire and its interior was badly damaged.
Royal Opera House, Valletta, Malta
The Opera House was restored and reopened shortly afterwards, only to be gutted again by a direct bombing during the Second World War. This time the building remained in ruins. For a long time, it stood vacant, until Italian architect Renzo Piano repurposed the destroyed theater as an open-air performance venue. Now, once again, music lovers come to hear the sound of swing, jazz, opera and more from within the theater’s remaining columns.
Crystal Palace, London, England
Crystal Palace, London, England
Tragically, the building was swallowed up by a fire in 1936 – it’s still not known how the fire was started and whether or not it was intentional. Currently, remnants of the palace, including terraces, sphinxes and a huge bust of its designer, Sir Joseph Paxton, can be seen at the site, which has been renamed Crystal Palace Park. Discover more things to do in London.
Sutro Baths, San Francisco, USA
Sutro Baths, San Francisco, USA
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