Parkour and free running have increasingly hit the big time, being featured in mainstream movies and prime-time commercial spots. Still, it’s important to remember that these amazing arts of urban building jumping, climbing and running originated in offbeat locations and abandoned buildings. These videos feature some of the more raw and original free runners who made this extreme urban sport what it is today. Scroll to the end for some awesome medleys and remixes!

Posted by Urbanist April 16th, 2008
Abandonments, Guerilla Action, Urban, Urban Videos, Various
Comments: 4

The former Soviet Union has a complicated history that is told in part through some of its deserted infrastructure. Many of these structures, cities and areas were abandoned suddenly and thus provide a kind of snapshot of Soviet life frozen in time. Others tell stories of economic and political upheaval and even nuclear events. From oil rig cities and deserted industrial towns to dazzling island fortresses and once-luxurious estates of the Soviet elite here are seven more amazing Soviet abandonments. For more Soviet abandonments (from gruesome gulags to submarine bases) check out part one of this series.

Posted by Urbanist April 13th, 2008
7 Wonders, Abandonments, Architecture, Environment, Travel, Urbex
Comments: 22

Imagine curling up in front of an 800 year old fireplace where a king once rested (or was arrested!). Many castle hotels once belonged to (or were used to imprison) kings, queens and other royalty as far back as the 1300s. Regardless of your budget there is a cozy fortress or magnificent castle hotel to be found in virtually any part of Europe, some parts of Africa and Asia and even in a few places in the United States. From Britain to the United States and Morocco to France here are 8 impressive places you can literally live like royalty - at least for one night.

Posted by Urbanist April 10th, 2008
Architecture, Travel, Various
Comments: 4

A surprising number of artists use remarkably conventional materials as the basis for their offbeat masterpieces. Sometimes the results are inspiring and other times they seem to border on kitsch. Still, art from ordinary objects can provide an interesting reminder that the things around us we take for granted can be repurposed in ways most of us might never think of. Also, as any artist knows, a new material can mean new aesthetic possibilities and unique material-dependent expressions.

Posted by Urbanist April 6th, 2008
Urban Art, Urban Images, Various
Comments: 6

Have you ever wondered what really happened to that mall in The Blues Brothers or where Tarkovsky filmed those jarring and surrealistic scenes in Stalker? While many urban abandonments are left alone or the occasional subject of urban exploration, some remarkable buildings and complexes have become famous (or infamous) after being used as film sets for cult classics or contemporary major motion pictures. Here are five films that made use of deserted buildings ranging from suburban malls and insane asylums to an unfinished nuclear reactor. To learn more or see larger original images click the movie-titled links below each film clip.

Posted by Urbanist April 3rd, 2008
Abandonments, Architecture, Urban Videos, Urbex
Comments: 17