The tourism industry has gone under a major revolution over the past few decades. There are a variety of different tourists that step out of their homes to explore the wonders of the world. Some people choose to travel for their vacations, while some wish to explore the historical side of the world. Some tourists visit places for educational purposes, and then there are the dark tourists.
Dark tourists are travelling enthusiasts who like traveling to places that have a deep linkage with death and suffering. It might be new to you but dark tourism, also referred to as thanatourism, and the dark tourists have been around since the 18th century and even before that.
With time passing by, the concept of dark tourism is becoming common among travellers. There are different destinations that have become the prime focus of dark tourists. People have begun to build a fascination for destinations such as Pompeii, the Roman city, Auschwitz-Birkenau camp in Poland, and Chernobyl!
Exploring Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a city in Ukraine which has been deserted and has been empty since the year 1986. There was a nuclear reactor in the city which had design flaws, and it was handed over to workers who did not possess the required training. The deadly combination of inadequately trained personnel and flawed reactor structure resulted in a steam explosion. The explosion caused 5% of the radioactive reactor core to escape into the atmosphere.
In 2011, the city opened its gates to the tourists who were eager to explore the city. The city is perfectly safe to explore today, and that is why the government has allowed tourists to enter the city.
Planning a trip to Chernobyl to satisfy your curious mind and soul? Here is what you need to explore in the vacated city!
Reactor 4
When the city opened its gates to the tourists, there was no cover on the reactor 4. If you visit the city today, you will find a concrete covering over the reactor. It is the main reactor, and the government wants to ensure that the leftover nuclear debris does not spread further. Another reason for the covering is to protect the remains of the structuring from weathering and to persevere it.
The Duga
The Duga, with a nickname as The Russian Woodpecker, was part of Soviet missile defence early-warning radar network. The system stopped operating in December 1989. The radar is 85 meters high and 210 meters wide. The reason behind the nickname of the Duga is that the listeners could hear sharp tapping noises that kept on repeating. It is definitely worth seeing due to its huge size and significance.
Cooling Tower in The Exclusion Zone
The nuclear reactor was still under construction when the accident took place. A proof of it is the cooling tower in the exclusion zone which was left unfinished. The purpose of the cooling tower was to cool the reactor, but it was never completed. The tourists can actually explore the tower and walk in it and experience something very unique. The diameter of the cooling tower is 120 meters, and it is 150 meters high. You can even find a piece of artwork that was done in memory of the liquidators of the disaster. The painting features an image that was taken by Igor Kostin in the year 1986.
Reactor 5
At the time of the nuclear accident in Chernobyl, reactor five was reported to be 70% complete. Almost 286 workers came up to the construction to continue the construction work just 24 hours after the accident at reactor 4. However, the construction work was immediately brought to a halt. There are several factories in the area which show the effects of the accident, that is worth visiting.
A Fire Station Within the Exclusion Zone
The first ten men to reach the site of reactor four after the accident were the firemen from a fire station, out of which none of them survived. You will find a fire station within the exclusion zone of the city; the ten firemen reached the reactor from this very fire station. The cause of death of these men was, of course, high levels of radiation levels.
Pripyat
Pripyat is the city of Ukraine that is just beside Chernobyl and was affected by 1986 nuclear accidents. Even this city has a lot of places that might attract dark tourists. The theme park, ruined theatre, eeries nursery, schools, and the residential areas are the top places to visit in the city.
Chernobyl and Pripyat are two of the most favorite dark tourism destinations. These cities that have such deep routes of suffering and death offer a unique kind of feeling that fascinates the dark tourists. If you are looking for an eerie place to visit with your friends, Chernobyl is the perfect place for you.