Despite our belief that our civilization is secure and unyielding, nature’s hold on it is tenuous, at best. Even the slightest cracks in our buildings or machinery provide an entry point for nature to take over. Bearing this in mind, we present 21 photos depicting places and objects that nature is in the process of reclaiming.

There has been a lot of speculation about the fate of our planet once humans no longer exist. Numerous books and TV shows have explored this topic and many have concluded that nature would quickly reclaim our spaces. It is likely that cities would be overtaken by plants within a year or two, and without human maintenance or energy sources, our buildings would start to crumble. The History Channel’s Life After People series even has a detailed timeline that predicts when famous landmarks around the world might collapse and succumb to nature. One such landmark is the Old Piano Tree in California.

In Hong Kong, trees are pushing against the concrete.

The deserted inner city railway in Paris.

A bicycle got eaten by a tree on Vashon Island in Washington state.

In Bangkok, there is an interesting sight to see: an abandoned shopping mall that has been taken over by fish. It’s an unusual attraction that draws a lot of attention and curiosity from visitors.

An abandoned mill in Sorrento, Italy, that has stood the test of time.

Deserted Ferris Wheel

Belgium’s Vintage Car Graveyard

Deserted Mining Town in Namibia

There is an abandoned railway in Paris that is 160 years old.

In Sydney, Australia, there is an abandoned ship that is over a century old. It has been around for 102 years and has been left to deteriorate.

Nature always finds a way to thrive, and this is evident in the sight of tree roots overcoming a brick sidewalk. Despite the interference of human-made structures, trees persistently reach for the nutrients and water they need to survive. It’s a reminder that no matter how hard we try to control nature, it will always find a way to adapt and persevere. So let’s appreciate and respect the tenacity of these beautiful trees and their roots, and strive to coexist with nature in harmony.

An uninhabited mansion in the vicinity of Kilgarvan, Ireland.

An abandoned train station in Abkhazia, Georgia.

The cooling tower in Belgium, also known as I.M. Cooling Tower, is a remarkable structure worth visiting.

Deserted Fishing Village in Kamchatka, Russia

Angkor in Cambodia.

Deserted Accommodation Room

Pripyat, a radioactive ghost city situated in Ukraine