23 Places Where Nature Has Reclaimed Abandoned Cities

18. Old Perithia, Greece – A Venetian Ruin in the Mountains

Nestled high in the rugged mountains of Corfu, Old Perithia is a hauntingly beautiful relic of a bygone era. Once a wealthy and bustling Venetian settlement, this village thrived during the 14th and 15th centuries, offering its residents protection from pirate raids that plagued the coastal areas of the Ionian Islands. The town’s unique position allowed it to prosper for centuries, with its cobbled streets lined by elegant stone mansions, ornate churches, and bustling tavernas. However, as tourism flourished along Corfu’s coastline in the 20th century, residents gradually abandoned Old Perithia in favor of more modern amenities and economic opportunities by the sea. Today, time has nearly swallowed the village whole, leaving it in a state of quiet decay. Stone houses stand roofless and weathered, their wooden beams long since rotted away, while ivy and wildflowers weave through the cracks in the walls. Ancient churches, with frescoes fading from centuries of exposure, serve as eerie reminders of the town’s once-vibrant community. The only permanent inhabitants now are the occasional herds of goats and sheep that graze in the surrounding hills, their bells clanging in the otherwise silent village.