Whether it’s through government intervention or other reasons, some places are off-limits to even the most curious traveller.
There are certain places on the globe it’s best to avoid. War torn regions of Syria, for example, or the perilous mountain tops in the Himalayas in winter. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t go there, just that you shouldn’t. There are only a few places on this planet you absolutely, positively, cannot step foot in.
Today, we’re hunting out the most secretive spots on earth. Some are government or military bases. Others are religious sites of importance. Others still are simply too dangerous or risky, and have been banned by authorities.
Let’s start with the most famous off-limits space in the world:
Area 51
Area 51 is a secret government compound in the deserts of Nevada. It is one of the most mysterious and highly secretive places in existence. Its official government name is Homey Airport or Groom Lake, and no-one knows exactly what goes on there, although plenty of people claim to!
Information and access is strictly classified. Any previous attempts to access the site by civilians has been met with swift and forceful removal. The most widely held belief is that Area 51 exists to develop experimental weapons and aircraft. The secrecy lockdown is to prevent any classified information from leaving the premises.
Of course, this level of secrecy has lead to conspiracy theories and rumours abound! The most common of which is the idea that Area 51 is a centre for UFO investigation. It’s something that locals have capitalized on for tourism.
They even named the nearby road the ‘Extraterrestrial Highway’. Of course, the real purpose of Area 51 is probably much less exciting. Still, we’ll never know while the entire region remains on complete civilian lockdown, which makes for some intriguing theories!
It’s interesting to note that Area 51 isn’t the only off-limits government base in the world. Australia has a similar place called Pine Gap, and the UK has RAF Menwith Hill. Both operate no-fly zones, and are inaccessible to the general public.
Room 39, North Korea
North Korea itself is probably the hardest country to enter on the planet. Especially if you’re an American. Some tourists are allowed in, but your visit is highly monitored and regulated. An American student was recently arrested in the country for removing a North Korean flag.
He was subsequently imprisoned and sentenced to 15 years hard labour. As you can see, it’s not a pleasant place to visit! Deep within this secretive country is a federal facility called Room 39. It is allegedly the source of funding and political power for the North Korean government.
According to sources, Inside Room 39, or Bureau 39, is a sophisticated money laundering operation. Here, the North Korean government launders counterfeit dollar bills. They also move money through foreign accounts in China and Switzerland. It’s also claimed they run a drug production system here, and a string of insurance fraud schemes.
It is, of course, speculation, but it goes a long way to explaining North Korea’s inexplicable run of finances. As you can expect, you are definitely not allowed through the door.
Metro 2, Moscow
From one secretive state to another. This time we’re in Russia. Again, it’s a particularly difficult country to enter in the first place. However, Metro 2, the secretive underground transport system is outright impossible to step foot into. If, in fact, it even exists.
The underground system supposedly runs alongside the existing public transport system. It was said to be built by Joseph Stalin, and received a purposely incongruous code name from the KGB, D-6. Sources suggest the underground tunnel network is longer than the public system.
The tunnel itself links the Kremlin with the Federal Security Services Headquarters. Presumably, it was built to allow confidential information to pass quickly and directly across the capital. Some reports suggest it was used to evacuate leaders in times of uncertainty.
Even now, the Russian authorities refuse to confirm or deny its existence. A small group of Russian ‘diggers’ claim to have found an entrance to the system, covered by a man hole. Metro 2 is ultimately just one of many secretive systems run by the Russian government.
The Vatican secret archive
As you can see, government facilities top the list of places you are definitely not allowed to go. However, religious sites come a close second. One particular place that comes to mind is the Church of Our Lady Zion in Ethiopia. The parish claims the legendary Ark of the Covenant lies inside, and so it is closed to visitors.
It is a popular pilgrimage site, but the doors themselves are locked. However, one religious centre is even more mysterious: the Vatican Secret Archive. The Catholic Church has always been veiled in secrecy. Conspiracy theories have long tried to untangle some of their secrets.
Indeed, many areas of the Vatican are entirely off-limits. One place that is completely closed to visitors is the Vatican Secret Archive. It is the private library of the Pope, containing thousands of religious scriptures. It is possible to read the books within, but they are merely sent to you via email.
Access to the holy site itself is strictly forbidden. This is unsurprising given the secretive nature of the Catholic Church. Some suggest that there are all sorts of dark and sordid secrets hidden in the vast archives!
Snake Island
While the locations so far have all involved secrecy, snake island is forbidden for a very different reason. It’s simply too dangerous to set foot on the land! This perilous island lies off the coast of Brazil, just 90 miles from the city of Sao Paulo.
It’s not difficult to work out why this is considered the most dangerous island on the planet. It’s full of venomous snakes! There are an estimated 4,000 snakes on this small island. That’s one for every six square yards.
Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t end there. These aren’t your average garden snakes. The island plays host to one of the most deadly snakes in the world, the Golden Lancehead.
Its venom is 4-5 times stronger than its brothers on the mainland. One bite is enough to start melting human flesh. Unsurprisingly, the island is off-limits to all expert carefully chosen scientists.
No matter how intriguing these places seem, or how curious we are, we will never see them. Whether it’s government facilities or an island full of snakes, these are the places you’re definitely, positively, absolutely not allowed to visit. Sorry, folks!
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