Ghost town resort loved by rich and famous abandoned and frozen in time

Once a playground for the rich and famous, the coastal town of Varosha in Cyprus is now a ghost town, abandoned and frozen in time after its residents were forced to flee

Nestled peacefully along Cyprus’s coastline, Varosha was formerly the exclusive retreat of global celebrities.

From Brigitte Bardot to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, this district within the seaside city of Famagusta served as a magnet for A-listers, boasting luxurious hotels and upmarket dining establishments.

Now, it stands as a deserted wasteland. The boulevards that previously teemed with affluent visitors lie barren, whilst the opulent structures that once adorned them have crumbled into complete decay.

Previously hailed as the “French Riviera of Cyprus”, visitors are now advised to steer clear of this locale.

But what triggered such a catastrophic transformation?, reports the Mirror.

In 1974, following a Greece-supported coup, Turkey initiated a comprehensive assault on the Mediterranean isle, with Famagusta positioned at the heart of the battle.

Varosha’s Greek Cypriot inhabitants were compelled to evacuate as Turkish forces closed in on their properties.

Former locals recount chilling tales of meals left simmering on hobs, wedding presents remaining unwrapped in lofts, and children’s playthings discarded where they lay.

One woman remembers her mother’s bridal gifts still awaiting collection in the family residence when they were compelled to escape.

Heartbreakingly, they never came back.

Instead, the entire quarter was cordoned off by Turkish armed forces, protected by razor wire and military sentries.

The previously thriving Varosha became sealed away, undisturbed, surrendered to the elements which consumed the area entirely, preserving the resort in perpetual stasis.

More than four decades later, Varosha remains utterly deserted.

Stern warning notices make it crystal clear that visitors are absolutely prohibited – no access, no photographs – or risk facing the fury of military personnel who continue to patrol the zone.

Whilst holidaymakers are barred, some former residents managed to return to certain sections of the resort following the opening of crossing points between north and south in 2003.

What greeted them was a haunting time capsule of their past lives – corroded vehicles still gathering dust in abandoned showrooms, mannequins gazing vacantly through shattered shop fronts, and hotel hallways deteriorating after decades of abandonment.

Remarkable photographs reveal how nature has gradually reclaimed portions of Varosha. Sea turtles now lay their eggs peacefully on shores once crammed with sunbeds, whilst creeping plants and wild growth scale the resort’s numerous hotel terraces.

Despite partial reopenings in recent times, the town’s destiny remains embroiled in political complexity. A UN resolution stipulates that only former residents may repopulate the district, meaning Varosha’s future hinges on any eventual peace agreement for the split island.