Abandoned buildings around the world now teeming with plant-life after being reclaimed by nature

After mankind has left: Abandoned buildings around the world now teeming with plant-life after being reclaimed by nature

  • These incredible pictures feature an abandoned ballroom in Germany being overtaken by ferns and a desolate manor house in Taiwan covered by trees
  • The beautiful yet crumbling locations left by their human inhabitants have been reclaimed by mother nature 
  • Images captured by French photographer Jonathon Jiminez and are featured in his new book Naturalia II

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From an abandoned ballroom in Germany with ferns creeping along the ground to a desolate manor house in Taiwan overtaken by trees, these breathtaking images show what happens when nature takes over.

The beautiful yet crumbling locations left by their human inhabitants have been reclaimed by nature – and the effects are astonishing. 

The stunning pictures were captured by French photographer Jonathon Jimenez and have been compiled in his new book entitled Naturalia II. 

The diverse array of images, which have been shot across 17 countries, feature an abandoned swimming pool in Denmark which is now filled with grass rather than water and an amusement park in Lithuania where rollercoasters have been overrun with trees.  

‘It is poetic, almost magical, to see Nature creeping through broken windows and cracks, gradually taking back the spaces built and then abandoned by Man until they are almost completely swallowed up,’ Jiminez, who is known as Jonk, said. 

‘At a time when Man’s impact on the environment has never been so great, the aim of this series is to increase people’s awareness, without being pessimistic. One thing is certain, when Man leaves, Nature returns and takes back what is rightfully hers.’

The beautiful yet crumbling locations left by their human inhabitants have been reclaimed by nature – and the effects are astonishing. Pictured: A ballroom in Germany has been left abandoned and ferns are beginning to creep along the dance floor. The delicate roof of the ballroom has worn off and bits of plaster are hanging from the ceiling

An abandoned mansion in Taiwan has been reclaimed by a number of trees. Their roots have wrapped themselves around the manor house, enveloping the building. Photographer Jonk said he was welcomed by a family of monkeys when he came across the building

An abandoned mansion in Taiwan has been reclaimed by a number of trees. Their roots have wrapped themselves around the manor house, enveloping the building. Photographer Jonk said he was welcomed by a family of monkeys when he came across the building

The stunning pictures were captured by French photographer Jonathon Jimenez and have been compiled in his new book entitled Naturalia II. Pictured: An abandoned factory in Italy has been overrun by brambles and trees which have rooted themselves in the ground. A large piece of equipment has been left rusting in the middle of the floor and is now covered with trees and plants

The stunning pictures were captured by French photographer Jonathon Jimenez and have been compiled in his new book entitled Naturalia II. Pictured: An abandoned factory in Italy has been overrun by brambles and trees which have rooted themselves in the ground. A large piece of equipment has been left rusting in the middle of the floor and is now covered with trees and plants

A bright red escalator creates a stark contrast against the climbing ivy and the trees surrounding it at an abandoned Hippodrome in France

A bright red escalator creates a stark contrast against the climbing ivy and the trees surrounding it at an abandoned Hippodrome in France

The diverse array of images, which have been shot across 17 countries, feature an abandoned swimming pool in Denmark which is now filled with grass rather than water

The diverse array of images, which have been shot across 17 countries, feature an abandoned swimming pool in Denmark which is now filled with grass rather than water

Workers have left machinery to rust at the Centrale Idroelettrica, an abandoned hydroelectric power plant in Italy and Nature has reclaimed the site with plants beginning to creep up the walls and floor

Workers have left machinery to rust at the Centrale Idroelettrica, an abandoned hydroelectric power plant in Italy and Nature has reclaimed the site with plants beginning to creep up the walls and floor

In this incredible image, trees emerge from an abandoned car which has been left to rot in a scrap yard in Sweden. Moss has begun to envelope the rusting vehicle, with the wheels no longer visible

In this incredible image, trees emerge from an abandoned car which has been left to rot in a scrap yard in Sweden. Moss has begun to envelope the rusting vehicle, with the wheels no longer visible 

An abandoned reservoir in Taiwan has been overrun by climbing ivy, with the green plant providing a stark contrast from the concrete walls. A door has been left open and the ivy is even climbing through the doorway

An abandoned reservoir in Taiwan has been overrun by climbing ivy, with the green plant providing a stark contrast from the concrete walls. A door has been left open and the ivy is even climbing through the doorway

A vast cooling tower in Belgium has been left abandoned and a group of ferns are seen sprouting up from the grates

A vast cooling tower in Belgium has been left abandoned and a group of ferns are seen sprouting up from the grates

The diverse array of images feature an amusement park in Lithuania where rollercoasters have been overrun with trees

The diverse array of images feature an amusement park in Lithuania where rollercoasters have been overrun with trees

'It is poetic, almost magical, to see Nature creeping through broken windows and cracks, gradually taking back the spaces built and then abandoned by Man until they are almost completely swallowed up,' Jiminez, who is known as Jonk, said. Pictured: Ferns create a beautiful wall feature at an abandoned factory in Germany

‘It is poetic, almost magical, to see Nature creeping through broken windows and cracks, gradually taking back the spaces built and then abandoned by Man until they are almost completely swallowed up,’ Jiminez, who is known as Jonk, said. Pictured: Ferns create a beautiful wall feature at an abandoned factory in Germany

Naturalia is a curated collection of images showcasing abandoned places reclaimed by nature. Pictured: Swings are barely visible after they have been overtaken by grass at an abandoned hotel in France

Naturalia is a curated collection of images showcasing abandoned places reclaimed by nature. Pictured: Swings are barely visible after they have been overtaken by grass at an abandoned hotel in France

Over time, Jonk has increasingly focused on what appears to be the most powerful element in this vast theme of abandonment: places taken over by Nature. The Allemagne Retirement home in Germany has been left abandoned and Nature has taken over. One of the walls has been taken over by ferns as the paint peels away.

Over time, Jonk has increasingly focused on what appears to be the most powerful element in this vast theme of abandonment: places taken over by Nature. The Allemagne Retirement home in Germany has been left abandoned and Nature has taken over. One of the walls has been taken over by ferns as the paint peels away. 

An Italian factory has been left abandoned with pieces of brick laid on the ground. Brambles and trees have taken over the derelict site and weave their way through an archway

An Italian factory has been left abandoned with pieces of brick laid on the ground. Brambles and trees have taken over the derelict site and weave their way through an archway

A sanatorium, a medical facility for long-term illness, is being overtaken by vines and trees which are climbing up the balconies - with some even reaching the fourth floor

A sanatorium, a medical facility for long-term illness, is being overtaken by vines and trees which are climbing up the balconies – with some even reaching the fourth floor