An explorer has captured some incredible photos of an abandoned fairground – after construction of the park came to a halt during the Lebanese civil war.
Photographer Roman Robroek, 32, visited the site in Tripoli, Lebanon, to document its current dilapidated state – a far cry from the intended family hotspot.
Construction of the theme park started in 1963 and was designed by iconic Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who incorporated a futuristic style throughout the site.
The park consists of 15 buildings and is spread throughout 10,000 hectares – but has been left to rot since the mid-1970s after construction halted due to the outbreak of the civil war.
The photographer captured some creepily, empty sights – including an indoor theatre where performances would’ve taken place, as well as an open-air auditorium with the chairs still inside awaiting guests that will never attend.
Meanwhile, a helicopter pad can be seen in the park, as well as a pyramid building and arc sculpture.
There is also a huge outdoor hall with an eye opening in the middle, built with toilets and rooms inside.
Also left abandoned is the unfinished subterranean space which was meant to become a museum.
Roman said: “In recent times, Lebanon has gone through significant social unrest, with civil war ravaging the country and creating a lot of inequality among the population, resulting in many notable abandoned buildings of all sorts.
“The one that perhaps stands out the most is the Tripoli Fairground.
“The fairground was never really used or completed, and it stands in decay, almost as a reminder of an alternative reality that never was – a fading, imaginary picture of what could have happened in Lebanon without the loss, damage, and struggles caused by the 15-years civil war.
“This is the testimony of a city, and a country, looking towards a brighter future, which was so abruptly cut short.”
Roman described the site as a “major urban development project” – particularly given to its involvement from the famed architect.
He said: “The futuristic nature of the design was going to be very significant, indicative of a community looking to move forward and leave a mark internationally.”
Sadly, the park never came to fruition and appears destined to stay empty as an eerie reminder of what could have been.
