Power Corrupts

Pripyat may be one of the most famous abandoned places in the world. A soviet era city built to house the family and workers of the infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. At its prime it had once held around 50 000 people and had 21 schools as well as hospitals and community centers, becoming a thriving city. However life here would come to an end over the course of three days. Starting with the terrible night of April 26th 1986 when Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant had a melt down causing an explosion which released radioactive fallout across the entire city forcing its evacuation three days later.

The city is a time capsule located in the Ukraine however still bears the symbols of the Soviet regime that built it. Towering symbols of the communist era and murals still grace the walls of schools and community centers promising a brighter future for the USSR. Serving as a reminder that even the mightiest of countries are not guaranteed to be here tomorrow. The city also reminds us that nature was here first and we are the ones invading its home, once we leave it is quick to reclaim what was lost. Nature will always return if we leave, it is resilient and determined and does not fall victim to the radiation that plagues the land.

Today Pripyat is a popular tourist attraction, the radiation having lowered to the point of safety. The town can be seen with all its books and furniture in place. The people were told they had to leave, many thinking the situation would be handled and they would return home. However this would never come to pass and anything left behind was impossible to be reclaimed and now site were they were left that fateful day in 1986.