The World's Most Extravagant Deserted Domains
11. Soul Park
Place: Mount Parnitha, Athens, Greece
Period: 1930s
Expense: $0
Athens, Greece, is renowned for its fascinating ruins, but the Park of Souls stands out for its eerie atmosphere. Located outside an abandoned sanitarium on Mount Parnitha, this unique outdoor exhibition features haunting wooden statues that capture the imagination.
The Park of Souls alludes to the historical struggles of forest fires and tuberculosis in Athens, serving as a poignant reminder of the past. The statues not only reflect the challenges faced by the community but also aim to engage visitors with their striking presence.
In the 1930s, as tuberculosis (TB) ravaged Athens, the Parnitha Sanatorium was constructed to provide patients with sunshine and fresh air, essential for their recovery. After the pandemic subsided, the building underwent various uses before ultimately being abandoned in the mid-1980s.
In response to a series of destructive fires in the 2000s, artist Spyridon Dassiotis transformed this supposedly haunted location into the Park of Souls. His vision aimed to breathe "life" into the area, creating an outdoor exhibition that resonates with the history and struggles of the past.
