The Ship Has Sailed
Every adventurer longs to visit the most influential places around, and there are hundreds scattered across the globe. However, for these 20 popular destinations, it’s too little, too late. Here are 20 must-see places that you are banned from visiting.
1. Lascaux Cave
In France, a 17,300-year-old cave was discovered. What made this cave exceptional was the fact that inside were hundreds of preserved Paleolithic paintings. These included recreations of ancient stags and bison. However, due to the carbon dioxide and oxygen brought in from human tours, the paintings began to decay, which is why people are now banned from the cave.
2. Ise Grand Shrine
Ise Grand Shrine is one of the 80,000 shrines you can find throughout Japan. However, as it is one of the largest and grandest temples around, dating back to the 8th century, the royal family forbids any visitors from entering the sacred grounds.
3. The Doomsday Vault
Despite the foreboding name, the Doomsday Vault in Norway is actually home to the world’s seed bank. Millions of different plant seeds are preserved here to help humans survive through apocalyptic events.
4. Chichen Itza Pyramid
The Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico is a popular tourist attraction that has brought in millions of visitors to date. However, to protect the structural integrity of the pyramid and prevent vandalism, tourists are only allowed to appreciate the wonder from afar.
5. Vatican Secret Archives
Located in Vatican City is an underground space full of 85 kilometers of shelving. These shelves are home to countless secret documents that only the most prestigious scholars are allowed to peruse. That means for most of us, this area is strictly out of bounds.
6. Monkey Island
Known formally as Morgan Island, this region in South Carolina is home to thousands of rhesus monkeys, which is why it’s casually called Monkey Island. However, only researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are allowed to go there.
7. Tomb of Qin Shi Huang
Located in China, many people have seen glimpses of the marvelous terracotta army preserved within the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. However, to preserve the statues and prevent their decay, this area is closed off to the public.
8. Pluto’s Gate
Pluto is the Roman name for Hades, the God of the Underworld. With that in mind, Pluto’s Gate, located in Turkey, was rumored to be a passage into the Underworld. However, you’re not allowed to pass through these gates, as there are dangerous levels of carbon dioxide within.
9. North Sentinel Island
North Sentinel Island in India is famous for housing one of the world’s last remaining uncontacted tribes. Although there have been many attempts to make contact, the people of the island have reacted violently, making it clear that they want to be left alone. This is why no one is allowed to visit them any longer.
10. Poveglia
Poveglia is an island between Lido and Venice that has a tragic history. It was used for plague quarantines in previous times, with thousands of people being forced to make a home for themselves there.
11. Uluru
Located in Australia is a magnificent rock formation known as Uluru, or Ayers Rock. In the past, tourists would climb to the top of this rock, but recent vandalism and environmental damage have led to a ban.
12. Fort Knox
Many people have heard of the infamous Fort Knox, a place considered to be impenetrable. Hence, it comes as no surprise that in reality no one is allowed beyond the fort’s walls. This adds up, considering Fort Knox is home to a significant chunk of the United States' treasury.
13. Surtsey Island
Surtsey in Iceland was a strange phenomenon, as it was one of the youngest islands around, first appearing in the 1960s. Many researchers flocked to the island to study land formation in real time, but in order to preserve the pristine natural environment, people are now banned from entering.
14. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse can be seen from Tillamook Head Beach in Oregon, a scenic lighthouse you can look at but never visit. This is because of the dangerous waves and stormy weather that have been known to wreck ships.
Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided on Wikimedia
15. Heard Island
Heard Island is a remote and minimally explored region between Madagascar and Antarctica. While some consider it barren, explorers are barred from entering due to the volatile volcanic conditions and fragile natural environment.
Tristannew (original)
Derivative: SHB2000 (cropped) on Wikimedia
16. Mezhgorye
Located in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Mezhgorye is like the Russian equivalent of Area 51. Some guess this secretive location is used for missile testing, but no one is allowed to get close enough to find out.
17. Snake Island
Brazil is home to many beautiful tropical islands, but Ilha De Queimada Grande is not one of those. This island houses thousands of golden lancehead viper snakes, making it one of the most dangerous islands around. Only the most daring and qualified researchers, accompanied by doctors, are allowed to step foot.
Karl Paul Baldacchino on Unsplash
18. Pravcicka Brana
Within the scenic Czech Republic is Pravcicka Brana, a rock formation and monument that is considered one of the largest natural stone arches around. After much tourism, the stability of the formation has been brought into question, which is why people can look but not touch.
19. Granite Mountain Vault
The Granite Mountains in Salt Lake County are a beautiful natural landscape that attracts campers and wilderness enthusiasts from around the world. However, certain areas of the mountains are restricted because they are home to a vault belonging to the Mormon Church.
Bureau of Land Management on Wikimedia
20. Area 51
Of course, no banned destination list would be complete without Area 51. While in recent years some people have made attempts to storm the base, no one has successfully gotten through the building. This is one place you’re better off looking at from afar.
