Urbex, or urban exploration, is a passion for discovering abandoned places that have fallen into ruin over the years. Although exploring unknown sites seems like a modern hobby, its history goes back centuries.
How did urbex originate? When did people start investigating abandoned buildings? Let’s take a look at the history of this extraordinary activity.
The beginnings of urban exploration
🕰 19th century – Romanticism and discovering ruins
Exploring abandoned places has its roots in the 19th century, when the ruins of old castles and palaces began to fascinate artists and travelers. During the Romantic era, explorers visited former fortresses and deserted monasteries to draw inspiration for art and literature.
🏰 20th century – the first underground expeditions
At the beginning of the 20th century, people started exploring underground tunnels, sewers, and catacombs. In Paris, as early as the 1930s, a group of “cataphiles” emerged who studied the extensive underground of the French capital.
🚇 1960s–80s – urbex in its modern form
With the growth of cities, more and more abandoned factories, hospitals, and railway lines appeared. Exploring these places became popular among photographers, historians, and adrenaline enthusiasts.
The development of urbex in the 21st century
📸 1990s – first photos and documentation
The real boom in urbex happened in the 1990s when explorers began documenting their trips. Thanks to cameras and the first internet forums, urbex became more popular.
🌍 21st century – exploration worldwide
Thanks to social media and the growth of blogs, urbex has become a global phenomenon. Abandoned cities, military bunkers, old factories, and forgotten tunnels attract thousands of explorers around the world.
📢 Today, urbex is not only a hobby but also a way to discover history, photography, and explore the world on your own terms.
Summary
The history of urbex shows that exploring abandoned places has fascinated people for centuries. From romantic ruins to industrial giants, urbex has evolved into an extraordinary phenomenon combining history, art, and a passion for discovery.
