50 Photos of Famous Places Before Tourism Changed Everything
Time doesn’t ask for permission. Places that once felt untouched have slowly transformed as years passed and people began to arrive in larger numbers. Thanks to photography, it’s easier to compare what used to be with what is now.
Moulin Rouge, Paris, France (1900 – 2016)
Credit: re.photos
The cabaret opened in 1889, near Montmartre, and became famous for can-can dancing. In 1900, locals filled the venue, and most visitors were from within Paris. It has since become a commercialized tourist magnet with scheduled shows, reserved seats, and prices starting at around €87 for entry alone.
Mont Saint-Michel, France (1908 – 2016)
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Located in Normandy, this tidal island was once reachable only during low tide on foot or by cart. The 2016 update features a man-made causeway, completed in 2014, that prevents erosion and provides all-day access. Mont Saint-Michel receives more than 3 million visitors a year, despite having fewer than 50 residents.
Martin Luther Statue, Dresden, Germany (1958 – 2014)
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After World War II, Dresden’s Frauenkirche lay in rubble, with only this statue left upright in the town square. The reconstruction effort lasted from 1994 to 2005, with funding partly provided by donations from around the world. By 2014, both the statue and the rebuilt church had become central to Dresden’s old town.
Nantes, France (1890 – 2013)
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Riverboats once shared the Erdre with fishermen and washerwomen. Narrow bridges and 19th-century buildings framed a quieter life. Public investment has transformed Nantes into a model for sustainable green infrastructure.
Poznań, Poland (1945 – 2017)
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Post-war Poznań was heavily damaged, with significant bombing during the 1945 Battle of Poznań. The image from that year shows crumbling tram infrastructure and ruined facades. Surprisingly, the same street had become a thriving urban zone in 2017.
Reichstag, Germany (1945 – 2012)
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After being captured by the Soviets in 1945, the Reichstag was left severely damaged for decades. Reconstruction began in the 1990s and included Norman Foster’s famous glass dome. By 2012, over 2 million people visited the dome yearly. Today, it houses the German Bundestag and symbolizes post-war political unity in Berlin.
Seljestadjuvet, Odda, Norway (1887 – 2014)
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This scenic mountain pass, located along Route 13 in western Norway, was barely navigable in the late 1800s. The 2014 version shows a much-improved highway with added safety rails and rest stops. It’s now a key stretch of the Norwegian Scenic Routes.
Pripyat, Ukraine (1986 – 2016)
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Founded in 1970 to house Chernobyl workers, Pripyat had a population of over 49,000 residents before the 1986 disaster. Now, it’s within the Exclusion Zone, which remains under tight control. The 2016 image shows decayed buildings, broken pavement, and overgrown trees. Controlled tourism began in 2011.
Prague, Czech Republic (1910 – 2020)
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Gaslamps lit Prague’s winding streets while trams rattled past suited men and women in long coats. Cars now line the same cobblestones, and shopfronts display souvenir mugs and postcards. The architecture has lasted, but the rhythm of local life has given way to the pace of a European tourist capital.
Chaney Glacier, USA (1911 – 2005)
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In Montana’s Glacier National Park, Chaney Glacier has shrunk dramatically over the past century. In 1911, it covered a wide swath of the mountain. It had visibly receded by 2005. As of today, fewer than 25 active glaciers remain in the park, down from about 150 in the late 1800s.
Brandenburg Gate Area, Berlin, Germany (1945 – 2023)
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Brandenburg Gate stood in ruins after World War II, surrounded by wreckage and silence. Nearly 80 years later, the square teems with life, and pedestrians stroll where tanks once rolled. Restored buildings and clean boulevards now frame Berlin’s most iconic monument.
Osnabrück, Germany (1904 – 2016)
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Osnabrück’s city center preserved its medieval layout despite damage during World War II. The 1904 photo shows cobbled streets and a slower pace of life. By 2016, the same area had adapted to modern needs, featuring bike lanes, public transport stops, and energy-efficient lighting, while still centered around centuries-old buildings.
Nowomiejska Street, Łódź, Poland (1874 – 2016)
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In 1874, Nowomiejska Street was lined with tenement houses and horse-drawn carriages. Łódź experienced rapid growth during the Industrial Revolution, and today, this street combines preserved architecture with newer commercial spaces. Streetcars run along refurbished tracks, and festivals often take place here as part of Łódź’s annual Light Move Festival.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1910 – 2016)
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In 1910, the Eiffel Tower stood relatively isolated, with few fences or heavy foot traffic. By 2016, it attracted over 7 million visitors per year. Enhanced security, regulated queues, and glass barriers were introduced to protect the site. Despite modernization, the Tower remains the city’s most iconic structure.
York, England (1865 – 2015)
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The Micklegate Bar entrance to York in 1865 had no modern signage, just horse-drawn carriages and cobbled stones. In 2015, traffic lights, street paint, and vehicles were part of the same view. While the arch remains unchanged, the practice of hanging traitors’ heads from its gate is long retired–fortunately.
Engabreen Glacier, Norway (1889 – 2010)
Credit: re.photos
A century ago, Engabreen’s ice reached down into the valley. Since then, vegetation has taken over most of that space. This glacier, part of the Svartisen Ice Cap, has one of the fastest retreat rates in mainland Norway. Tourists now hike to its foot or take guided tunnel tours beneath it.
Szyperska Street, Poznań, Poland (2006 – 2017)
Credit: re.photos
Once home to storage buildings and warehouses, this street experienced rapid gentrification. The 2006 photo captures its industrial past, while 2017 reveals modern apartments and cafes. Today, Szyperska connects two central neighborhoods and is popular with professionals and university students for its walkability and central location.
Rysstad, Norway (1888 – 2013)
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Inside the Setesdal Valley, Rysstad was a remote farming village in the 19th century. Its 1888 image shows homes built from timber, surrounded by steep mountain slopes. Paved roads and vacation cabins replaced some farmland in 2013. The town is now a stop along the scenic Norwegian Route 9.
Marcin Street, Poznań, Poland (1945 – 2017)
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Marcin Street was unrecognizable after WWII, with nearly every building damaged. In recent decades, it was redesigned with pedestrian walkways, new lighting, and restored facades. The street now hosts art installations and festivals.
Paris, France (1900 – 2017)
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In 1900, wide boulevards were filled with horse-drawn omnibuses and early cars. The 2017 scene includes electric buses, shared bikes, and densely packed sidewalks. Classic Haussmann buildings are unchanged, but the ground-level experience is louder, more crowded, and built around navigating constant foot traffic and modern transport networks.
Hammerfest, Norway (1889 – 2004)
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Known as the northernmost town in the world, Hammerfest had under 2,000 residents in 1889. Fishing dominated its economy. By 2004, it had a cruise port, improved housing, and better infrastructure. The town is now a starting point for arctic expeditions and a place to see the Northern Lights.
St. Matthew Evangelical Church, Łódź, Poland (1937 – 2017)
Credit: re.photos
Built in the early 20th century, this neo-Gothic church remained structurally intact even during WWII. The 1937 view shows quiet, open space. In 2017, it was surrounded by cars and apartment buildings. Though still a functioning church, it’s now more a backdrop to the urban rhythm than a focal point.
Eiffel Tower and Globe Céleste, Paris, France (1900 – 2016)
Credit: re.photos
The 1900 World’s Fair included the enormous “Globe Céleste,” a 45-meter-diameter structure showing the solar system. It stood next to the Eiffel Tower for only a few months. In the 2016 photo, it’s long gone. The area is now filled with tourists, buskers, and digital ticket kiosks.
Chichen Itza, Mexico (1892 – 2020)
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The 1892 image shows El Castillo covered in vegetation and partially buried. Extensive archaeological work had cleared the structure in 2020 to reveal its sharp geometry. It’s now visited by over 2.6 million people annually and is one of Mexico’s most photographed landmarks, though climbing the pyramid has been banned since 2006.
Main and Delaware, Kansas City, Missouri (1906 – 2015)
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Horse-drawn wagons once shared the street with electric trolleys under overhead wires. A century later, that same Kansas City corner feels anonymous. Urban renewal projects flattened much of the character. Office buildings and surface parking lots replaced the dense mix of signage, storefronts, and layers of daily life that once defined it.
Seattle, Washington (2016 – 2024)
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In 2016, the Alaskan Way Viaduct cut off the Seattle waterfront from the city. After its removal, the 2024 version shows parks, paths, and people walking beside Elliott Bay. The demolition, completed in 2019, transformed the entire waterfront into a more livable and scenic area near Pike Place Market.
Curecanti Needle, Colorado (1880s – 2024)
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Once photographed in sepia tones alongside narrow-gauge railroad tracks, the Curecanti Needle now overlooks Blue Mesa Reservoir. In 2024, the region offers activities such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking. The man-made reservoir beneath it, completed in the 1960s, dramatically changed the area’s appearance while also bringing tourism and water recreation.
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California (1920s – 2024)
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This hillside sign, originally reading “Hollywoodland,” was built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development. By 2024, it simply said “Hollywood” and overlooks a city packed with tourists. The letters were rebuilt in steel in 1978 with funds from donors including Hugh Hefner and Alice Cooper.
Abraham Lincoln’s Home, Springfield, Illinois (1861 – 2021)
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This humble residence hasn’t changed much in appearance since the day Lincoln departed for Washington. While other parts of Springfield have modernized, the home remains preserved to mid-19th-century standards. Visitors walk through its rooms and along a carefully restored street, surrounded by interpretive signs and fencing that guards against wear and tear.
Hiroshima, Japan (1945 – 2020)
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Once a wasteland of twisted steel and scorched earth, Hiroshima now buzzes with commuters, schoolchildren, and light rail. The Genbaku Dome still stands near Peace Memorial Park, a reminder of devastation amid renewal. The city was rebuilt with input from citizens who insisted the world never forget what happened there.
Flatiron Building, New York City (1917 – 2012)
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Trolleys once curved around its sharp corner while paperboys called out headlines nearby. Flash forward nearly a hundred years, and yellow taxis replaced the trolleys, with food carts and tourists filling the sidewalks. Though dwarfed by newer towers, the Flatiron still holds its iconic spot at the tip of Madison Square.
New York Skyline Bench View (1957 – 2021)
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The wooden bench hasn’t moved, but the skyline has exploded behind it. In the 1950s, only a few prominent buildings rose beyond the East River. Now, it’s a forest of glass and steel. People still sit and stare, and the view has become one of the city’s most photographed contrasts.
Mount Tom Trolley, Holyoke, Massachusetts (1905 – 2021)
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Riders once boarded trolleys to ascend Mount Tom, passing through wooded slopes to reach a summit house offering panoramic views. Those tracks disappeared long ago, replaced by hiking trails and rusted supports into the underbrush. The forest reclaimed the rails, but memories linger in historical photos and park signage.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York (1916 – 2021)
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In the early 20th century, Greenpoint was a blue-collar district with mom-and-pop shops and factory smokestacks. The area has since shifted. Old tenement houses are designed as lofts, and warehouse fronts advertise espresso instead of engine grease. The bones remain, but the lifestyle, income, culture, and rhythm couldn’t be more different.
Chernobyl Control Room, Ukraine (1986 – 2021)
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Once the nerve center of Reactor No. 4, this room pulsed with blinking lights and humming circuits. Its silence now is deafening. Walls are peeling, buttons sit rusted in place, and hazard tape marks the path for guided tours. Decay has taken hold, and curiosity draws thousands each year under strict oversight.
Stonehenge, England (1877 – 2019)
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A century ago, the stones lay uneven in a field grazed by sheep. There were no ropes or ticket booths. That isolation is gone. Access roads, fencing, and visitor facilities keep foot traffic in check. Restoration efforts realigned fallen monoliths.
Dallas, Texas (2001 – 2021)
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Office towers once dominated a sparse skyline; now they compete with sleek residential high-rises and LED-lit arenas. Development in Uptown and Deep Ellum brought new nightlife and public spaces. The city’s population has surged, and with it, the demand for denser, more vertical neighborhoods that reflect rapid urban growth.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada (1960s – 2023)
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The Julius Executive Duplex Suite lobby, as featured in 1968, showcased gold-trimmed mirrors and plush seating. Caesars Palace has continuously evolved since its opening in 1966, now offering over 3,900 rooms and drawing millions of visitors annually.
Owl Cigars Corner, Kansas City, Missouri (1959 – 2025)
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This busy Kansas City corner once featured Owl Cigars signage and tightly packed buildings. These days, though, many older structures have been replaced with modern office blocks. The historic look is gone, but street names and public records still preserve the character of what was once a bustling crossroads.
Chester, Massachusetts (1892 – 2024)
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The 1892 photo of Chester features a modest New England church and a dirt road with a single tree canopy. The church remains today, but the surrounding area is now filled with homes, and the trees are leafless. The main street still echoes the town’s rural past, despite its growth.
Wuppertal, Germany (1993 – 2019)
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This former public bathhouse had fallen out of use by the early 1990s. In 2019, it reopened as a brewery and beer hall, combining local history with modern business. Original tiles, pillars, and some signage were left intact and provided visitors with a glimpse of both its past and its transformation.
The Pines, Fallsburg, New York (1950s – 2020s)
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Once a staple of Jewish-American vacation culture, The Pines is now one of many abandoned resorts in the region. The 1950s image depicts packed lounge chairs and families enjoying the sun at a Catskills resort pool. In the 2020s, overgrown grass and cracked concrete dominate the scene.
Singapore Skyline (2000 – 2020)
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In 2000, the Marina Bay skyline was sparse, with only a few scattered towers. Today, Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and dozens of skyscrapers fill the horizon. Singapore’s transformation occurred rapidly, driven by its position as a global financial and tourism hub in Southeast Asia.
Manhattan Bridge, New York City (1908 – 2021)
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When construction was still underway in 1908, this view showed a partially built Manhattan Bridge towering above tenements. In 2021, the same spot was surrounded by tourists taking Instagram shots. The bridge itself hasn’t changed much, but the culture around it has turned the location into a digital postcard.
Kraków, Poland (1939 – 2010s)
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In 1939, trams and vintage cars moved slowly along cobblestone roads. Today, Kraków has a modern tram system and repaved streets, while preserving much of its original layout. The old town remains largely intact, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracting millions of visitors each year.
Australia’s Wonderland, Sydney (2003 – 2017)
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This amusement park, once filled with swimmers and rollercoaster fans, shut down in 2004 due to declining profits. The 2017 image shows crumbling water slides and overgrown pools. It was once the largest amusement park in the Southern Hemisphere. Nothing has replaced it, though nostalgia groups push for its revival.
Karl Johan Street, Oslo, Norway (1899 – 2007)
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The 1899 photo shows pedestrians walking on unpaved streets toward the Royal Palace. Come 2007, the same path was filled with buses, flower stalls, and wide sidewalks. It remains Oslo’s main boulevard, with events, parades, and daily tourism concentrated around its cafés and historic buildings.
Central Park, New York: Fifth Avenue and 65th/66th Streets (1904 – 2021)
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Central Park’s eastern edge near Fifth Avenue once welcomed horse-drawn carriages and uniformed drivers in 1904. Over a hundred years later, it had transformed into a modern entrance filled with joggers, cyclists, and tourists. Though the skyline behind it has soared, the park’s gate still offers a pause from Manhattan’s constant motion.
Rudolstadt Marktstraße 54 Amtsgericht, Germany (1906 – 2015)
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In 1906, Rudolstadt’s Marktstraße 54, home to the Amtsgericht (district court), featured ornate facades and a charming cobblestone atmosphere lit by gaslight. By 2015, the building stood renovated with cleaner lines and updated windows, yet retained its historic silhouette. The surrounding street now combines courtly heritage with everyday foot traffic and small local businesses.