Home › Guides · Updated 20 October 2026
Abandoned hospitals with haunting histories
The real stories of famous abandoned hospitals and asylums, from Beelitz-Heilstätten and Waverly Hills to Poveglia, Pennhurst and Britain's closed Victorian asylums, with why they closed, what remains, and how to visit safely.
Abandoned hospitals attract ghost hunters, photographers and urban explorers. Their real histories are often more disturbing than any legend: overcrowding, epidemics and the mistreatment of vulnerable people. Here are some of the best-known, with what actually happened there.
Beelitz-Heilstätten, Germany
A huge sanatorium complex near Berlin, built from the late 1890s to treat tuberculosis. During the First World War it served as a military hospital, and a young Adolf Hitler was treated there in 1916 after being wounded. After 1945, it became a Soviet military hospital until the early 1990s. Parts are now restored or redeveloped, and there's a treetop walkway for visitors.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky, USA
Opened in the early 20th century as a tuberculosis hospital in Louisville. Before antibiotics, many patients died, and a tunnel down the hill, used to move supplies and bodies discreetly, became known as the "death tunnel". The building is now privately owned and offers paid tours, including paranormal tours.
Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA
An institution for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, opened in 1908. It became notorious for overcrowding and abuse, exposed in a 1968 TV report. A landmark federal court case led to its closure in 1987 and influenced the move away from large institutions across the US.
Poveglia, Venice, Italy
A small island in the Venetian lagoon, used for centuries as a quarantine station for ship crews and travellers suspected of carrying disease, and later as a hospital and care home until 1968. Popular stories exaggerate its plague history, and the island is closed to the public.
Britain's closed asylums
From the mid-19th century, county asylums were built across Britain, many housing more than a thousand patients. Most closed in the 1980s and 1990s as care moved into the community. Examples include:
- Severalls Hospital, Colchester: opened in 1913, closed in 1997, and now largely redeveloped as housing.
- Denbigh Asylum, North Wales: the North Wales Hospital, opened in 1848 and closed in 1995. The listed building has suffered fires and decay.
- Whittingham Hospital, Lancashire: once one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Britain, closed in 1995, and redeveloped.
These hospitals' archives, held by county record offices, are a valuable resource for family historians, though patient records are often closed for 100 years.
Pripyat Hospital No. 126, Ukraine
In the abandoned city near Chernobyl, the hospital treated firefighters and workers after the 1986 nuclear disaster. Their contaminated clothing was left in the basement, which remains dangerously radioactive. Visits to the exclusion zone have been suspended because of the war in Ukraine.
Ellis Island Hospital, New York, USA
The hospital complex treated immigrants arriving in the US in the early 20th century. Partly restored, it can be visited on guided hard-hat tours.
Remember the patients
Many patients in these institutions were poor, sick or disabled, and some were detained for reasons we'd find shocking now. Treating their former homes simply as horror sets can overlook that.
Don't explore derelict buildings
Entering abandoned buildings without permission can be trespass, and in some cases a criminal offence. They're also genuinely dangerous: rotten floors, asbestos, falls, and sometimes security patrols. Choose official tours, heritage open days or virtual tours instead.
Many former asylums now host local history projects, oral history recordings and memorials to patients buried in unmarked graves. These are a respectful way to learn about the buildings and the people who lived and worked there.
Sources and further reading
- Beelitz-Heilstätten Baumkronenpfad
- Waverly Hills Sanatorium
- Wikipedia: Pennhurst State School and Hospital
- Save Ellis Island: Hard hat tours
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
What should you know about Beelitz-Heilstätten, Germany?
A huge sanatorium complex near Berlin, built from the late 1890s to treat tuberculosis. During the First World War it served as a military hospital, and a young Adolf Hitler was treated there in 1916 after being wounded.
What should you know about Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky, USA?
Opened in the early 20th century as a tuberculosis hospital in Louisville. Before antibiotics, many patients died, and a tunnel down the hill, used to move supplies and bodies discreetly, became known as the "death tunnel".
What should you know about Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA?
An institution for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, opened in 1908. It became notorious for overcrowding and abuse, exposed in a 1968 TV report.
What should you know about Poveglia, Venice, Italy?
A small island in the Venetian lagoon, used for centuries as a quarantine station for ship crews and travellers suspected of carrying disease, and later as a hospital and care home until 1968. Popular stories exaggerate its plague history, and the island is closed to the public.
Chris is a freelance writer and editor covering a wide range of topics with a focus on accuracy and depth.
Last updated: 2026-04-25 · Fact-checked by editorial team