Exploring the eerie, abandoned places around the world is a thrilling experience for many. From crumbling factories to creepy derelict asylums, these places evoke a feeling of unease with their unsolved mysteries and chilling atmosphere. However, one of the creepiest places that you can explore are the deserted malls around the world. Here’s our top 10 list of the creepiest abandoned malls that will make your skin crawl! Read on to find out more about these eerie places and why they have been left uninhabited.
Top 10 Creepiest Abandoned Malls Around the World: Explore These Eerie Places
Abandoned malls are an eerie reminder of a bygone era, but they also hold an undeniable fascination. With their vacant escalators, broken windows and piles of rubble, these once bustling commercial hubs now stand as a weirdly beautiful testament to forgotten times. Here’s our list of the top 10 creepiest abandoned shopping malls around the world.
1. Grande Bazaar Shops – Indianapolis, USA
This abandoned mall in Indianapolis was once home to more than 80 stores, including a 5-screen cinema. When the mall opened in 1977 it was one of the most popular places to shop in the city, but eventually the mall fell into disrepair and it closed in 2007. Today, its spooky buildings are covered in graffiti and the parking lot is filled with weeds, making it a popular spot for urban explorers.
2. The Mall of Split – Split, Croatia
The Mall of Split in Croatia is a derelict structure that features a giant concrete shell and crumbling interior walls. Built in 1979, the mall was meant to be the largest entertainment center in the region. However, construction ran out of money in the middle of building and the mall has been abandoned ever since. It has become a popular destination for both urban adventurers and graffiti artists, due to its decaying interiors and expansive walls.
3. Metro Town Mall – Berlin, Germany
Located in Berlin, the Metro Town Mall was opened in 1980, but had fallen into disrepair by the mid-90s. It was later abandoned entirely in 2004, when the owners decided to demolish parts of the building and turn it into a luxury hotel. Although most of the mall has been demolished, the remaining bits are a creepy reminder of the vibrant culture that once flourished beneath its roof.
4. The Great Indoors – Shanghai, China
The Great Indoors shopping mall in Shanghai was once a bustling hub of commerce, but today it stands silent and neglected. The mall opened in 1992, but eventually went out of business in 2008. Now, the only inhabitants of this eerie space are stray cats and birds, which take shelter in the decrepit interiors.
5. Providence Mall – Providence, Rhode Island
Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the Providence Mall was once a thriving shopping center with over 100 stores and 3 floors of shops and boutiques. Unfortunately, the mall fell victim to the economic downturn and was forced to close in 2009. Today, it’s an eerie place filled with empty corridors and broken glass, making it a perfect spot to explore for ghost hunters.
6. Ciudad Satélite – Mexico City, Mexico
Once the largest shopping mall in Mexico City, Ciudad Satélite is now a hauntingly desolate wasteland. The mall opened in 1978, but eventually fell out of favor after its rival, the Forum Cuernavaca, opened several years later. By 2000, the mall had closed its doors forever, leaving behind an eerie reminder of its former glory.
7. Plaza de los Cedros – Bogotá, Colombia
Plaza de los Cedros in Bogotá was once a lively shopping center filled with restaurants, clothing stores and movie theaters. Unfortunately, the mall suffered a series of financial problems and was completely abandoned in 2014. Since then, it has become a haven for urban explorers, who flock to its eerie interiors to seek out its secrets.
8. Lippo Plaza – Surabaya, Indonesia
Lippo Plaza in Surabaya, Indonesia was another casualty of the 2008 global recession. The mall was originally built in 1983, but it closed its doors in 2013 after suffering huge losses. Now, the mall remains a creepy ghost town, with its rusted escalators and crumbling ceiling panels providing a spooky backdrop for urban adventurers.
9. Broad Street Mall – Reading, UK
Broad Street Mall in Reading, UK has been a hotspot for urban exploration since it was abandoned in 1993. This once popular mall still has some of its original decor intact, such as its trademark pink and blue paint job, which gives the mall an eerie, post-apocalyptic feel.
10. La Petite Ceinture – Paris, France
La Petite Ceinture in Paris is an abandoned railway line that used to carry passengers around the city. After the line was closed in 1934, the stations were left to decay and eventually became a hub for graffiti artists and urban explorers. Today, the abandoned railway is still a popular spot for adventurers, who come to marvel at its creepy abandoned tunnels and tracks.
Conclusion
Abandoned malls are fascinating reminders of times gone by. They provide an insight into our changing consumer habits and the cities that once thrived beneath their roofs. From abandoned railway tracks in Paris to forgotten shopping centers in Mexico City, exploring these eerie places can be a unique and rewarding experience. So why not plan your own urban adventure and explore one of these abandoned malls for yourself?