15 Forbidden Places that are Off-limits to the Public and Tourists
Here are 15 forbidden places that are off-limits to the public or tourists. This is either because they are too dangerous, have important cultural significance, or have a more perplexing reason. This list will take you through some of the world’s most mysterious and menacing destinations, some of which you may never have heard of.
North Sentinel Island, India
This remote island is located in the Bay of Bengal and has been home to the Sentinelese tribe for around 60,000 years. As the people here have remained isolated, the tribe has no immunity against ‘mainland’ diseases. As such, they often get violent to protect themselves. Therefore, visiting the island is strictly prohibited.
Chernobyl, Ukraine
The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster in 1986 devasted the local area, leaving high levels of radiation. Although it’s possible to visit areas of the exclusion zone today with a guide, some areas are still off-limits to the public. This includes the Elephant’s Foot, a large mass that is extremely radioactive.
Snake Island, Brazil
Also known as Ilha da Queimada Grande, Snake Island is home to between 2,000-4,000 highly venomous vipers, known as golden lanceheads. These snakes are one of the most venomous species in the world, so Brazil has made it illegal to visit this destination for safety reasons.
Area 51, USA
Perhaps one of the most mysterious destinations on this list is Area 51. This area of Nevada is strictly controlled by the U.S. government and is often linked with extraterrestrial activity among other conspiracy theories. Officials state that it’s a US military base used for weapons-tasting making it completely off-limits.
Lascaux Cave, France
Although Lascaux Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s not open to the general public. With a history of 17,000 years, this site holds hugely important historical significance, especially as it features invaluable cave paintings. It was decided in 1963, that frequent human presence may destroy these paintings and so Lascaux Cave was closed.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway
Also known as the ‘Doomsday Vault’, Svalbard’s seed vault is off-limits to the general public (you can only view it from outside). Over 2.5 billion seeds are kept here so that in the case of a global crisis, natural catastrophe, or apocalypse, there’s a safeguard in place for humanity in terms of food.
The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China
China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang is buried in a mausoleum at the foot of Lishan Mountain. The tomb was discovered in 1974 when part of the Terracotta Army was unearthed. However, the Chinese government has made excavating it illegal. This is out of respect for their emperor as the complex is full of items that he will need in the afterlife.
Vatican Secret Archives, Vatican City
Not many people know about the Vatican Secret Archives, which is an extremely secure area of the Vatican. The majority of these archives are located underground, boasting 53 miles (85 km) of shelves, which are home to thousands of important documents. It’s forbidden to enter, except for researchers who have special permits.
Fort Knox, USA
Deemed as the most heavily guarded place in the world, Fort Knox had to make it on this list. It’s home to most of the United State’s gold reserves so has extensive security measures in place, including several vault combinations. This means that no single staff member can make it into the vault, let alone the public!
Heard Island, Australia
Heard Island is situated between Antarctica and Madagascar and is one of the world’s most unexplored areas. Due to its remote location, the island is difficult to reach and there are two active volcanoes here. The Australian government restricted entry to preserve the fragile environment, as well as the local fauna.
The Grand Shrine of Ise, Japan
The Grand Shrine of Ise is an important Shinto shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and universe. It’s rebuilt every 20 years because of ‘birth and re-birth’, and is off-limits to the public to keep the shrine holy. Only priests and members of Japan’s imperial family can visit.
Poveglia, Italy
The island of Poveglia has a dark history. It was used as a quarantine station for the plague, and later a psychiatric hospital, which had a horrific reputation. It’s thought that 160,000 people died on this island, with around 50% of the soil being made up of human ash from cremations.
Surtsey Island, Iceland
Surtsey Island was formed between 1963-67 due to volcanic eruptions. This makes it the world’s newest island. Surtsey is completely off-limits to the general public and is only open to a few geologists and scientists. This is so they can research how ecosystems form without human interference.
Mezhgorye, Russia
Mezhgorye is one of the most mysterious locations on this list. This ‘closed town’ is in the Republic of Bashkortostan, and is the equivalent to America’s Area 51. There’s a lot of secrecy around this location, which has been shut for decades. Rumors suggest it’s a nuclear missile site but of course, no one really knows!
North Brother Island, USA
North Brother Island is found in New York City and has been closed since 1963. It was home to Riverside Hospital, a hospital that treated contagious diseases such as smallpox and yellow fever. It’s also near where the General Slocum steamship caught fire, where over 1000 people lost their lives.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.