Five of the Strangest Abandoned Hospitals and Asylums Around the World

When it comes to spooky structures, nothing is more frightening than abandoned hospitals and asylums.

Most psychiatric hospitals built in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries—formerly known as "mental asylums"—are no longer around. They closed in the latter half of the 20th century following advancements in medications for mental illnesses and a shift away from permanent institutionalization towards community care models.

Despite the reason their halls went dark, there's something unsettling about these empty medical facilities, and most of them are closed to the public if you wish to visit. So we did the next best thing and compiled images of some of the most terrifying abandoned hospitals and asylums in the world.

Old Mental Hospital - Location: Hong Kong

This now abandoned and peculiar hospital in Hong Kong's Western District, today known as the Old Mental Hospital, went through various time periods. Completed in 1892, the L-shaped building was initially constructed as a residence for medical staff of the government civil hospital. The rustic granite blocks, a wide veranda, and decorative parapets contrast with its subsequent period as a psychiatric ward for hospital patients, a role it held until 1961 when Castle Peak Hospital opened. The Old Mental Hospital was used as an outpatient treatment center for psychiatric diseases for the next ten years, and in 1998, efforts began to transform it into the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex. Although most of the complex is new, the original granite façade remains, and it was declared a monument in 2015.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum - Location: Weston, West Virginia

This is one of the most popular abandoned asylums in the United States that you can visit—also known as Weston State Hospital, and ominously, the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, created between 1858 and 1881, is often described as the largest hand-cut stone building in North America and the second-largest in the world after the Kremlin. Regardless of its ranking, the hospital is massive, housing nine acres of floor space under a three-and-a-half-acre roof.

Like most psychiatric hospitals of that era, Trans-Allegheny's aim was to provide quality mental health care in a modern facility. However, by the 1950s, the building was overcrowded—housing nearly 2,400 patients in a building designed for 250—and conditions had deteriorated until it closed in 1994. Now, with its cavernous corridors open for tours and paranormal investigations, it's no surprise the asylum is surrounded by many rumors. If you're interested in thrilling and scary tales, check out these urban legends from every state.

North Wales Hospital - Location: Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales

Built between 1844 and 1848, the North Wales Hospital opened as a facility for Welsh-speaking individuals with mental illness. Despite three expansions, the hospital was chronically overcrowded, reaching a peak patient count of over 1,500 in 1948. Changes in mental illness treatment—especially medication use—diminished patient numbers, and the hospital announced its closure in 1987.

Unfortunately, North Wales Hospital has been abandoned since its closure in 1995. Years of neglect, vandalism, and theft have left it in ruins. The local government hopes to restore the structures, considering the hospital "an exceptionally fine and pioneering example of early Victorian asylum architecture." Currently, the abandoned buildings and grounds are closed to the public, but while you can't visit, you can check out these photos of creepy abandoned homes and car dealerships.

Poveglia Island - Location: Venice, Italy

Located in the Venetian Lagoon, just a short boat ride from St. Mark’s Square, Poveglia Island is eerily deserted, in stark contrast to the bustling tourist area. Thanks to its dark history, Poveglia has a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Europe, attracting paranormal investigators. Its ties to disease date back to the 18th and 19th centuries when the island was used as a quarantine station for ships coming into the Port of Venice.

In 1922, Poveglia's abandoned hospitals and other buildings were converted into an asylum. The nursing home was the last medical facility to open on the island, and in 1968, the last one closed. Poveglia has been uninhabited since and is not open to the public. While many rumors and ghost stories associated with the island have proven false, some urban legends remain true.

Khvorino Hospital Complex - Location: Moscow, Russia

Architecture enthusiasts might be familiar with the massive Khvorino Hospital Complex in Northern Moscow. Construction of this medical facility, known as the "umbrella," began in 1980 but faced a variety of issues, halting progress for five years. The fact that the complex's shape from above resembled a warning sign, along with reports of multiple people falling to their deaths from the 11-story building, didn't help improve the situation. The dreary complex was demolished in 2018 to make way for a new residential building. For more urban relics, check out these majestically eerie abandoned churches.