Europe’s eerie abandoned theme park frozen in time with carousel still in tack

Europe boasts a multitude of great theme parks that provide adults and children alike with fantastic experiences and memories.

Some of the most popular ones include the UK’s very own Alton Towers, as well as Disneyland Paris and Europa Park.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is also a big hit with visitors from all around the world, with more than four million passing through its gates in 2023 alone.

Yet not all of the Tivoli theme parks have been as successful as the original, with some having to shut for one reason or another.

One of those is the Tivoli Luna Park in Nicosia, Cyprus, which makes a great place to explore for those looking for something off the beaten track.

The park closed on December 20, 2012 and is still considered by locals as a historical landmark, who have petitioned for it to be reopened.

Tivoli was the first Luna park to bring go-karts to the island when it opened in 1967, along with many attractions such as carousels, roller coasters, amusement rides, and arcades.

This hive of activity was also used as a setting for a theatrical play in November 2012, shortly before its closure.

Haunting photos of the carousel in the abandoned park can be seen in a video shot by some urban explorers from Poland.

Almost all the chairs are still attached to the ride – normally a favourite for all children.

Another photo shows a cat sitting on top of some long-since abandoned pieces of luggage.

The urban explorers describe vividly the eerie atmosphere of the park, as they make their way through a “world of forgotten dreams”.

They wrote in their blog: “And then we saw it – the rusted gates of the Tivoli Park, hidden behind a dense wall of trees and shrubs.

“Stepping inside the abandoned amusement park was like stepping back in time. We were transported to a different era, a world of forgotten dreams and lost memories.

“The rusted rides, peeling paint, and overgrown greenery created a hauntingly beautiful landscape that we will never forget.

“Our journey to the abandoned Tivoli Park was an adventure we will always cherish, reminding us that sometimes the best experiences come from stepping outside our comfort zone and exploring the unknown.”