Military bases, archaeological zones, islands in the middle of the ocean, or lost jungles inhabited by cannibals. These are the places in the world to which we are prohibited from traveling
Who does not like to travel? Visiting the incredible wonders that our planet hides, going to a luxury hotel, visiting a spa, sleeping surrounded by nature … There are countless destinations to choose from, for all tastes and ages, but there are still places around the world that are forbidden to travel.
And it is that the more something is prohibited, the more we want it… Currently, technology has evolved to such an extent that the options to “peek” into places hitherto prohibited for visitors have increased. In times like these, we can wonder what parts of the world are yet to be discovered or remain a mystery to humanity. There are still prohibited places in the world that human beings cannot approach.
From military bases or archaeological zones of enormous value (will they hide secrets about our origins?) to islands lost in the middle of the ocean, there are also places where we should not enter because their inhabitants practice cannibalism…
If your curiosity is to know what some of these places are killing you, today we share with you 7 places in the world to which it is forbidden to travel.
Places of the world to which travel is prohibited
Mezhgorye, Russia
The first on our list of places in the world where we are prohibited from traveling is the city of Mezhgorye, in Russia, a closed, isolated, practically hermetic city! The well-known closed cities of Russia began as a military or scientific complex whose activity was determined to be secret. Over time, these cities became independent cities and isolated from the others, where no one who was not authorized could enter.
Many of these cities were opening up to the public, so we know the reason why entry was prohibited. But Mezhgorye is still a Closed City. Nobody knows anything, nothing has been seen, just a strong military presence. Today there are only rumors that claim that it is a nuclear weapons depot or that it is a refuge for the last line of command of Russia in the event of a war. At the moment, we will not know.
Surtsey, Islandia
Surtsey is a volcanic island and is part of the Vestmann Islands of Iceland and the second in our selection of places in the world to which we are prohibited from traveling. It is one of the youngest soils in the entire earth’s crust since it emerged from the sea in 1963. It has been considered a World Heritage Site since 2008, and access to it is prohibited since human contamination could modify the natural process of colonization of life on this island.
But do not worry. You can see it from a distance and navigate the waters around it, always with the help of guides or companies dedicated to it.
Poveglia, Italy
Better known as “the Island of the Dead”, this northern Italian island was used as a quarantine place for around 160,000 bubonic plague sufferers. Also, on this island, there was a psychiatric hospital, where patients were tortured and all kinds of atrocities were done. It is believed that 50% of the land on the island has fossilized human remains. Right now it is a completely abandoned place.
Before it was handed over to the government, people who have visited the island claim to have experienced paranormal experiences. Various plans have been devised to bring the island back to life and leave its dark past behind, but they have never been carried out. Right now, this island is owned by the Italian government and is another of the places in the world to which travel is strictly prohibited. Breaking the rule can lead to high fines.
Big Burned Island, Brazil
The same sounds more like the name “Big Burned Island”. It is a territory located in front of Sao Paulo, completely inhospitable and inhabited by one of the deadliest snake species in the world: insular Bothrops or golden lancehead snakes. It is estimated that there is a snake for every five square meters. For this reason, the Brazilian government prohibited entry to anyone. Exceptionally, scientists are granted permission to study this species of venomous snake.
Isla Heard, Australia
It is inhabited by quite varied fauna: penguins, seabirds, and seals are the most outstanding species. Thanks to this, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. The problem? Three years later a lava flow was reported originating from Mawson Peak, the highest mountain in Australia. Then it was discovered that the volcano is still active.
It is forbidden to visit it, not only because of the danger posed by an active volcano but also because of its extremely adverse and unstable weather conditions. The climate is sub-Antarctic cold, so much of the territory is covered by snow and ice throughout the year.
Even if they let us visit it, its access is not easy either: we would have to sail for about two weeks to get there. In addition, very professional logistics and personal preparation would be necessary to be able to visit the island.
North Sentinel Island, India
It is a small island that belongs to the Andaman Islands archipelago, belonging to the government of India. This is probably the first place that comes to mind when we talk about places that are forbidden to visit in the world.
It is forbidden to travel, despite its virgin beaches and its wonderful landscapes because it is where indigenous tribes live that have carried out acts of violence against foreigners. They have rejected any kind of contact with other people, and what’s more: they are known to have murdered many visitors.
As a curiosity, although it belongs to India, the Sentinelese are unaware of the existence of the country and of their belonging to it, so they manage their own affairs. For this reason, the laws of India have no place on the island and the country itself allows the rejection of its inhabitants abroad.
Read more: 8 forbidden places in the World to Travel
North Brother Island, United States
This island belongs to the state of New York and was abandoned more than five decades ago. The past of this island is led by disease and death. Between 1880 and 1943 this city was used as a quarantine place for many people who contracted highly contagious diseases. An example of this is that, in the hospital on this island, there was the first American to contract the deadly typhus fever: Typhus Mary. All those who died were burned in the morgue that was located right in front of the hospital.
After several long years, the hospital building was used for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Currently, the island is completely abandoned, and covered, for the most part, by nature. It only has a bird sanctuary, but nothing else. It is closed to the general public, and no one can access the island unless expressly authorized by the New York Department of Parks and Recreation, which, among other things, is in charge of the island’s bird sanctuary.