Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village - Mandawa is a town, just 29 km from Jhunjhunu city in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, India. It is part of Shekhawati region. Mandawa is located at 28.05°N 75.15°E. It has an average elevation of 316 metres. The nearest railway station is Jhunjhunu railway station.
1 / 10

Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village

4.4
·1k reviews·, Spain

Explore the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished Abades leprosy village, a ghost town frozen in time by medical progress.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer people, more atmospheric

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village - Mandawa is a town, just 29 km from Jhunjhunu city in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, India. It is part of Shekhawati region. Mandawa is located at 28.05°N 75.15°E. It has an average elevation of 316 metres. The nearest railway station is Jhunjhunu railway station.

Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer people, more atmospheric

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished Abades leprosy village, a ghost town frozen in time by medical progress.

4.4
(1k reviews)

"An impressive and unusual site, perfect if you like history, photography, or simply discovering hidden places."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost!

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Eerie Church

The Eerie Church

Central Courtyard

A hauntingly beautiful, unfinished church that feels like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.

Ruined Patient Accommodations

Ruined Patient Accommodations

Scattered throughout the village

Wander through the skeletal remains of buildings, imagining life in this forgotten settlement.

Panoramic Island Views

Panoramic Island Views

Higher points of the village

Enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding Tenerife landscape and coastline from this unique vantage point.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Visit during daylight hours for safety and better exploration. Consider weekdays to avoid potential local crowds, especially if you prefer a more solitary, eerie experience. The site is vast, so allow ample time to wander.

Audio Guide Advantage

While exploring independently is possible, an audio guide offers rich historical context and brings the abandoned village to life. It's highly recommended for a deeper understanding of its poignant history and intended purpose.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer people, more atmospheric
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon
Why
Good light for photos
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

I explored various abandoned places on the Island of Tenerife (Canaries), Spain (OC)

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost! Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring. Reddit

reddit.com

House at abandoned leprosy station in Tenerife, Canary Islands [OC]

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

No facilities on-site. Stay hydrated and fueled for your exploration. Reddit

🚗 Easy Access by Car

Free parking available. A rental car is ideal for reaching this remote spot. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🎧 Get the Audio Guide

Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost! Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring. Reddit

💧 Bring Water & Snacks

No facilities on-site. Stay hydrated and fueled for your exploration. Reddit

🚗 Easy Access by Car

Free parking available. A rental car is ideal for reaching this remote spot. Reddit

📸 Photography Paradise

Capture the unique atmosphere and urban decay. Great for photographers! Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Abades abandoned leprosy village a fascinating and unique site, offering a mysterious and eerie atmosphere perfect for history buffs and photographers. While the lack of information boards is noted, the optional audio guide is highly recommended for a richer, more contextualized experience. It's a poignant reminder of medical progress and an intriguing exploration into a never-completed past.

"We really enjoyed visiting this place. The abandoned buildings and especially the church create a unique and mysterious atmosphere that left us fascinated. Even though the information board with the QR code was damaged, we still loved walking around and exploring everything on our own. It’s an impressive and unusual site, perfect if you like history, photography, or simply discovering hidden places. Definitely worth a visit!"

An Na

"Visiting this abandoned leper colony was a truly unique experience. The place feels like a forgotten ghost town – slightly eerie, especially when you’re there all alone. The buildings are mostly open and walkable, but honestly, we didn’t dare to explore too deep inside. The atmosphere was spooky enough that we only entered the church, which felt like stepping into a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.

If you’re into abandoned places or urban exploration, this spot is definitely worth checking out – just be ready for the chills."

Otakar Klika

"It was really fun to visit this village, built for people with leprosy, but it was never used because penicillin was discovered before the village was completely done. If you are into urban exploring, it's a must.
Just a short walk from the beach nearby, we visited it between two snorkeling rounds."

Andrea Dancs

What People Like

Unique historical site
Eerie atmosphere
Great for photography

What People Dislike

Limited onsite information
Can be spooky alone

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The village is best reached by car, with free parking available nearby. It's located off the main road, making it a relatively easy detour. If you're relying on public transport, it might be more challenging to reach directly, so a rental car is highly recommended for flexibility. Reddit

While there aren't extensive signs, the village is quite visible once you're in the vicinity. Look for the distinctive abandoned structures. The audio guide instructions can also help with orientation. Reddit

Yes, some visitors have combined their visit with a trip to the nearby beach, noting it's a short walk between the two. This makes for a nice half-day excursion. Reddit

Many visitors rent a car to explore Tenerife, which makes reaching Abades straightforward. It's also a popular stop for those exploring the southern coast of the island. Reddit

While official guided tours might be limited, an audio guide is available for purchase and highly recommended. This provides a self-guided tour with historical narration. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the village itself is generally free. However, an audio guide is available for purchase (around £8.99), which is highly recommended for a richer experience. Reddit

As an abandoned site, there are no official opening hours. It's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and visibility. Avoid visiting at night. Reddit

The church is part of the abandoned village complex and is generally accessible without a separate fee. It's a key highlight of the site. Reddit

Most buildings are open and accessible, but caution is advised. Some visitors prefer not to explore too deeply inside due to the eerie atmosphere and structural integrity. Reddit

The audio guide can typically be purchased on-site or through a QR code link provided at the location. It's advisable to check for availability beforehand if possible. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The atmosphere is described as unique, mysterious, eerie, and slightly spooky, especially when you're there alone. It feels like a forgotten ghost town. Reddit

Comfortable, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are essential due to uneven terrain and debris. Layers are also advisable as it can be windy. Reddit

While generally safe during daylight, exercise caution. Some buildings may have structural issues. Stick to well-trodden paths and avoid venturing into unstable areas. Reddit

There are no toilets or shops directly at the leprosy village. It's recommended to bring your own food and drinks. Reddit

The village was built in the 1940s to house people with leprosy but was never fully completed or used due to the discovery of penicillin. It stands as a testament to a time before effective treatments. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Absolutely! The abandoned buildings, unique architecture, and eerie atmosphere make it a photographer's dream, especially for urban exploration and atmospheric shots. Reddit

Late afternoon often provides beautiful golden hour light, enhancing the mood. Midday can be harsh, but still offers good visibility. Reddit

The church, the patient accommodation ruins, and any vantage points offering views of the village and surrounding landscape are highly recommended. Look for interesting textures and light patterns. Reddit

Yes, many buildings feature graffiti art, adding another layer of visual interest for photographers. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the buildings and landscapes. A prime lens can be useful for detail shots. A sturdy tripod can help with low-light conditions if you stay until dusk. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Abades can be an interesting outing for families, particularly those with older children who have an interest in history or photography. The open spaces allow kids to roam, and the abandoned buildings can spark their imagination. However, supervision is crucial as the site is not child-proofed; uneven surfaces and debris are common. Consider the audio guide to make the historical aspect more engaging for younger minds, focusing on the 'what if' scenarios rather than the darker realities of leprosy. Ensure everyone wears sturdy footwear and brings plenty of water and snacks, as there are no facilities on-site. Reddit

📸 Photographers & Urban Explorers

This is a prime destination for urban exploration and photography. The abandoned architecture, the stark beauty of decay, and the dramatic island light create a compelling visual narrative. Photographers will find endless opportunities for capturing atmospheric shots, from wide-angle vistas of the entire village to detailed close-ups of textures and graffiti. The audio guide can provide inspiration by painting a picture of what life might have been like, helping to frame your shots. Remember to be respectful of the site and practice leave-no-trace principles. TikTokInstagramReddit

🚶‍♀️ Solo Travelers

Abades is an excellent destination for solo travelers seeking a unique and reflective experience. The eerie atmosphere can be particularly potent when you're exploring alone, allowing for deep immersion and personal interpretation of the site. Renting a car provides the freedom to visit at your own pace, perhaps during quieter weekday mornings. The audio guide is a great companion, offering historical context and a sense of narrative to your solitary exploration. It’s a place to ponder, to capture stunning photos, and to connect with a forgotten piece of history. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Unfinished Dream: History of Abades

The Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village is a poignant reminder of a medical breakthrough. Constructed in the 1940s, this sprawling complex was intended to be a self-sufficient community for individuals suffering from leprosy. The vision was grand, with plans for housing, a hospital, a church, and administrative buildings, all designed to provide care and isolation.

However, fate intervened. The discovery and widespread availability of penicillin revolutionized leprosy treatment, rendering the extensive facilities at Abades largely obsolete before they were even fully completed or occupied. This medical advancement, a triumph for humanity, meant the village remained an unfinished project, a ghost town frozen in time. The project was abandoned, leaving behind a unique architectural landscape that now draws curious visitors and urban explorers.

Today, walking through Abades is like stepping into a historical narrative. The audio guide plays a crucial role in bringing this history to life, narrating stories from the perspectives of imagined staff, patients, and clergy. While the guide initially blurs the lines between reality and fiction by portraying life as if it happened, bonus tracks clarify that the village was never truly inhabited, offering a more accurate, albeit less dramatic, conclusion to its story. Reddit

Exploring Abades: What to Expect

Visiting Abades is an experience unlike any other on Tenerife. The abandoned buildings are mostly open, allowing for exploration, though many visitors opt for caution, not venturing too deep into potentially unstable structures. The church, with its unfinished grandeur, is a particular highlight, evoking a sense of awe and melancholy. The sheer scale of the village, with its scattered patient accommodations, administrative buildings, and the director's house, offers plenty to discover.

The atmosphere is a significant draw. Described as eerie, mysterious, and even spooky, especially when you find yourself alone, the silence is punctuated only by the sounds of nature. This quiet solitude, combined with the visual decay, creates a powerful and thought-provoking environment. It’s a place that encourages reflection on past medical challenges and the resilience of the human spirit. Reddit

For those interested in photography, Abades is a goldmine. The textures of the weathered concrete, the play of light and shadow through empty window frames, and the surrounding natural beauty provide endless opportunities for capturing striking images. The graffiti that adorns many walls adds a contemporary layer to the historical ruins, creating a unique juxtaposition. TikTokInstagram

You may also like

1 of 2