In a world 100 years after man, everything once created by people is becoming biomass. When left alone, nature will extract almost any sign of human existence. Resting in rural silence somewhere in Italy, we found proof of that. There is an artifact of industrial archeology dating back to the 19th century. But it was abandoned long ago. It has been isolated for an indefinite period. Today, surrounded by dense undergrowth it is blending in perfectly. What is this place? And what is its story? Join us while we are exploring an unseen world - the world after man!
After decades of being deserted, nature did its best to fill the old rubble with new life. Today, it reminds us of the ruins of some ancient civilization located in the jungle. Yet in fact, this is just what remains of a historical hydroelectric facility - but turning gradually into biomass. There are one-hundred-year-old turbines that are now overgrown, and roots as big as the old pipes.
This plant was built at the end of the 19th Century. We only found this one building but originally, it was a complex of multiple structures. Apparently, most of it is underground. There are cisterns to store water and countless kilometers of pipes. What was used as a source of drinking water at first was then powering the first electrical lighting system of a nearby town. Their theater but also small local industries and other craft businesses were benefitting. This is not just a piece of industrial technology, but a symbol of the community's collective power to enter the new age.
The hydroelectric power plant was still in use after World War Two. But it was outdated, so it needed to be replaced with a more modern facility. Located in a remote valley with no one around and with a stream right next to it, nature began taking over immediately. New life has emerged.
Most places we explore are forbidden to enter. But here, our visit is actually welcome. First nature took it, but now people want to reclaim what is theirs. Just 15 years ago, the community bought back the property. It was an impenetrable thicket but a while ago, volunteers chopped their way through the undergrowth and drained the area. They have created new paths and this place is now easy to reach. In the future, the structure should be restored and turned into a museum for renewable energies. We were just the first of many curious visitors to come.
Are you interested in seeing more of this fantastic abandoned and overgrown power plant? Then just watch our exploration documentary on YouTube:
