Each place tells a story – a story of its origin, history, and how it has evolved to be how it is today. However, not all places have had a fun, positive backstory. Some places, as we know them today, have had a rather mysterious backstory doused in dark secrets, conspiracies, and spine-chilling lore, so much so that an entirely new kind of tourism – ‘Dark Tourism’ – has emerged from it. Here are 5 such dark tourism sites around the globe that will surely give you some chills.
Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide, death, and other violence
What Is Dark Tourism Anyways?
Before we dive deep into these 5 sites, let’s understand why a thing like dark tourism exists in the first place. Dark tourism, although a fairly new word coined in the late 1990s, has had its origins in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe.
Today, dark tourism is defined as visiting places that have had a past full of tragedy, death, macabre, or some mishap. Places such as war memorials, museums, prisons, haunted buildings and castles, historical ruins (particularly associated with war), and other such mysterious locations are a part of dark tourism.
5 Dark Tourism Sites Around The World
Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, informally known as ‘The Suicide Forest’ is one of the world’s most notoriously known dark tourism spots. The forest itself is quite beautiful to explore, with several hiking trails and home to rich flora and fauna. However, the forest has gained a dark reputation over the years for being a thriving suicide spot in Japan.
Many Japanese believe that the forests are home to the Yurei ghosts of the dead. Since the 1960s, the place has witnessed countless suicide acts by Japanese people and slowly became known as one of the world’s most used suicide sites. After multiple reports of suicide, the authorities placed signages around the forest discouraging people from giving away their lives. The Aokigahara Forests in Japan and their eerie association with death has been featured in many Japanese shows, books, and movies.
Cellular Jail, India
The next one on our list of dark tourism sites is located on India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Cellular Jail situated on Port Blair here has had a long and gruesome history tied to the British tyranny. Many politicians, philosophers, and nationalists striving for the country’s independence were sent to this jail – then known as ‘Kala Paani’ (Black/dark water).
The British captured many Indian revolutionaries, including Veer Damodar Savarkar, and sentenced him to 50 years of life imprisonment at the Cellular Jail. This prison was known for its inhumane punishments – including physical and verbal violence, extreme manual labor, lack of food and medical assistance, among many other kinds of torture. Today, the Cellular Jail is a historic tourist attraction highlighting the struggle of Indian revolutionaries and their sacrifice for a free India. Every evening, the place also hosts a light and sound show, detailing the history and struggles of Indian freedom fighters in an audio-visual format.
Alcatraz Prison, USA
It’s time to head to the West and land up at the Alcatraz Prison in the USA. It is argued to be the most famous prison in the world, and for the most part, for all the notorious reasons. The Alcatraz Prison was home to some of America’s most dangerous criminals, including ‘Birdman’, Al Capone, and Whitey Bulger.
The prison is also famously known for the 1962 Alcatraz Prison Break, one of the most significant jail break attempts in the country. Three inmates, after an elaborate plan, managed to escape the Alcatraz Prison, despite it being one of the most heavily secured prisons at that time. However, after they escaped, they were never found again. What happened to them post the famous prison break still remains an unsolved mystery. However, the prison facility offers guided tours to tourists today.
Hỏa Lò Prison, Vietnam
You must’ve noticed by now how some of the most gruesome and dark places around the world are nothing but prisons? The Hỏa Lò Prison in Vietnam is one of the many such prisons and is one of the most famous dark tourism sites in Asia. It was used by French colonists to capture prisoners. Later, it was also used by North Vietnam to capture U. S. prisoners of war (POW) during the Vietnam War, with the nickname ‘Hanoi Hilton’ famous among the American POWs.
The prison was known for its brutal, excruciating torture that one couldn’t even think of. However, in the 1990s, parts of the prison were demolished. Today, only the gatehouse of the prison remains intact and has been developed into a museum. If you’re in Vietnam and interested to know more about its history, you must visit this museum.
Pompeii Ruins, Italy
For our last spot, we’ll be heading to Italy’s Pompeii. The city, once prosperous and famous, was torn down to ruins after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius over 2000 years ago. The city was wealthy, with many public buildings, bathhouses, and other structures. However, the destructive volcanic eruption became known as one of the deadliest events in history.
The volcanic eruption destroyed many Roman towns and cities in mere minutes and buried alive thousands of people under rubble and ash. Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for being the only archaeological site in the world to offer a complete picture of an ancient Roman city. Today, there are guided tours available here to better understand the ancient city and its history.
Summing Up
While dark tourism may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are many travelers who wish to seek more information about a place’s history, especially if it is steeped in years of tragedy, mysteries, conspiracy theories, and catastrophic events. Which dark tourism site are you the most keen to visit?
FAQs
What Is The Most Mysterious Place In India?
Here are some of the most mysterious places in India:
- Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
- Roopkund Lake
- Spiti Valley
- Magnetic Hill, Ladakh
Who Benefits From Dark Tourism?
Travelers, history enthusiasts, and future generations of those who’ve suffered at these dark tourism sites get an opportunity to learn more about the place’s past. It also helps boost the local economy, be it in the form of guides, local food sellers, or tour operators.
Where Is Dark Tourism In India?
These are some of the famous dark tourism sites in India:
- Cellular Jail, Port Blair
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Kuldhara
- Shaniwar Wada
- Three Kings Church
