Three decades after the nuclear disaster there, guided tours take increasing numbers of tourists deep into Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone. Pripyat, the town built near the Chernobyl power plant, lies abandoned. This ruined swimming pool stands empty under rotting wooden beams.
Empty swimming pool —
Three decades after the nuclear disaster there, guided tours take increasing numbers of tourists deep into Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone. Pripyat, the town built near the Chernobyl power plant, lies abandoned. This ruined swimming pool stands empty under rotting wooden beams.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Pripyat's amusement park is its most photographed area. Barely used, its rusty funfair wheel has become a symbol of a once lively city silenced by disaster.<br />
Funfair wheel —
Pripyat's amusement park is its most photographed area. Barely used, its rusty funfair wheel has become a symbol of a once lively city silenced by disaster.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
The park's official opening had been planned for May 1, 1986, but the city was evacuated just days before. Bumper cars are at a standstill on cracked concrete.
Unused attraction —
The park's official opening had been planned for May 1, 1986, but the city was evacuated just days before. Bumper cars are at a standstill on cracked concrete.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Trees and grass are slowly encroaching on Pripyat's buildings.
Nature returns —
Trees and grass are slowly encroaching on Pripyat's buildings.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
The rotting remains of an abandoned superstore hold fascinating appeal for some.
Empty superstore —
The rotting remains of an abandoned superstore hold fascinating appeal for some.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Background radiation around the Exclusion Zone can be up to 10 times the normal level. Slow-growing vegetation, especially prone to absorbing radioactive particles, tests even higher.
Radiation warning —
Background radiation around the Exclusion Zone can be up to 10 times the normal level. Slow-growing vegetation, especially prone to absorbing radioactive particles, tests even higher.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Catfish still swim in Chernobyl's cooling pond. Increasing numbers of visitors to the area describe Chernobyl as a wildlife haven.
Cooling pond catfish —
Catfish still swim in Chernobyl's cooling pond. Increasing numbers of visitors to the area describe Chernobyl as a wildlife haven.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
The turquoise and white St. Elijah Church continues to welcome devotees. Approximately 200 people still live inside the Exclusion Zone despite government orders to leave.
St. Elijah's Church —
The turquoise and white St. Elijah Church continues to welcome devotees. Approximately 200 people still live inside the Exclusion Zone despite government orders to leave.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
A monument to the men who gave their lives fighting the fires at Chernobyl power plant stands in the town.
Heroes of the disaster —
A monument to the men who gave their lives fighting the fires at Chernobyl power plant stands in the town.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Traces of the USSR are everywhere. Vivid Soviet murals dance on walls. Faded gas masks in children's sizes lie in their dozens.
Soviet relics —
Traces of the USSR are everywhere. Vivid Soviet murals dance on walls. Faded gas masks in children's sizes lie in their dozens.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Soviet-era portraits, posters and a ballot box inside the abandoned Soviet city of Pripyat.
Politics of the past —
Soviet-era portraits, posters and a ballot box inside the abandoned Soviet city of Pripyat.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
Silhouettes of dancing figures are daubed on walls of Pripyat's buildings, perhaps an attempt to bring a suggestion of human life back.
Haunting graffiti —
Silhouettes of dancing figures are daubed on walls of Pripyat's buildings, perhaps an attempt to bring a suggestion of human life back.
Courtesy Anita Isalska
A new "safe containment" barrier is being built over the Chernobyl power plant to reinforce a sarcophagus structure originally constructed to limit the escape of radiation.
Radiation shield —
A new "safe containment" barrier is being built over the Chernobyl power plant to reinforce a sarcophagus structure originally constructed to limit the escape of radiation.
AFP/Getty Images
This sign on the city's limits reads "Pripyat" and gives its foundation year, 1970.
'Welcome to Pripyat' —
This sign on the city's limits reads "Pripyat" and gives its foundation year, 1970.
Courtesy Anital Isalska