Throughout history, entire cities and regions have been abandoned, often within short periods of time.
Today, these ghostly cities and towns are left standing — most with their artifacts, properties, and amazing treasures still perfectly intact.
In the past, we've seen haunting photos of the abandoned Alaskan city of King Island, where hundreds of people mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
Earlier this year, eight Russians and two tour guides were sent to look after buildings in yet another one of the world's abandoned regions: Pyramiden, a Russian community located on a Norwegian archipelago.
The icy mining town was abandoned in 1998, but many of its structures have remained. There is still a hotel, a fully equipped gymnasium, a school, and many playgrounds.
Today, the Russian government is hoping to attract more visitors to the empty town. Swedish photographer Christian Åslund decided to tour the area a year ago, and effectively captured standstill scenes of the Soviet Union's heyday.
Scroll further to see the town that was "frozen in time," and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Eight hundred miles away from the North Pole sits the abandoned Russian mining settlement of Pyramiden, a town located on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
On official records, this area has a population of zero. In the past years, only reindeer, arctic animals, and seals have visited the territory.
After the town was abandoned in 1998, a few years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it has remained completely frozen in time.
Photographer Christian Åslund visited the region last year and captured a chilling photo series of the hollow grounds.
The town was once home to some 1,200 inhabitants. Below, you can see the faded photographs taken of the town’s heyday during the Soviet Era.
The once-grand hotel still stands today, against the Nordendkildbreen Glacier.
Inside, the battered grand staircase leads up to a large cafeteria.
The eating area is framed by a large mosaic depicting the harsh, yet stunning landscape outside. It is dotted throughout by heroic figures of the Norse legends.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, panic ensued. Mining quickly became less of a lucrative business for the townspeople, who left swiftly.
And though it may seem ghostly to us today, the town once had its own stunning properties.
As you can see in this photo, the town’s buildings were constructed in the Soviet 'block' construction style.
There was a great swimming hall in town, as well as a heated indoor pool that was dubbed 'the best in Svalbard.'
There was also a popular movie theater, now strewn with film cassettes.
An old gym also stood in the town. Today, you can still see markings on its walls, the lockers, and the exercise mats.
Empty kindergarten classrooms still stand, with its walls bare and floors dirty with debris, rubble, and toys.
Despite housing no permanent residents, Pyramiden (which is still under the control of the Russian government) is actively trying to attract visitors and tourists.
Guests can stay at the main hotel, where electricity is powered by a generator.
One of the most intriguing attractions in the town is the Red Oktober Soviet-made grand piano, which is said to have once been the 'northernmost grand piano.'
'When there is almost no other people there, and is very far from any civilization, it is an eerie feeling to walk around and visit a place from another time,' said Åslund of his experience in Pyramiden.
Hopefully, visitors all over will see how brightly this town still shines and be encouraged to tour its grounds.
Please SHARE if you thought the town of Pyramiden seems fascinating, and if you are mesmerized by the sheer beauty of its landscape!
