Pripyat part 3

This is a further selection of images from the deserted city of Pripyat inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Named after the nearby Pripyat river, the city was founded on February 4th 1970 to serve the nearby Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It officially became a city in 1979 and at the time of the disaster was home to almost 50,000 residents. The average age of the people living here was 26.

The Fluvial Port in Pripyat. In the background can be seen the sinking boathouse. This is right in front of the Cafe Pripyat, a very popular meeting place for people.

Pripyat's Cinema, the Prometheus, with its beautiful mosaic design. Inside is incredibly dark, as you would expect, despite having no doors left. Pieces of the projection screen remain as do a few seats. In its day this was part of a really busy square and in front of the building was a fountain with a large statue of Neptune. The statue was moved to a site near the reactor to save it from looters, where it remains today.

City Hall, the centre of Pripyat's administration. The hotel Polissya can be seen in the background.

The hotel Polissya, Pripyat's tallest building. Built in the mid 70's mainly for dignitaries and guests of the Chernobyl nuclear facility. 

The amusement park. It was due to open on 1st May 1986 to celebrate May Day. Sadly the events of April 26th changed all that. It is rumoured that the park was opened on April 27th as a distraction for the residents, despite some rides not being completed. The ferris wheel is 26m high and in remarkable condition considering its age. Radiation levels vary around the park despite "the liquidators" washing everything down. The helicopters that frequently flew over the reactor dropping material to stop the leak used this area as a landing zone. 

This image and the one below were taken in one of Pipyat's kindergartens and serves as a chilling reminder that many children lost their lives in the disaster. 

All these images are posted with respect to everybody who was affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the hope that their plight will never be forgotten.

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