With social media fuelling the wanderlust in all of us, ticking off most places on our bucket lists has reached a new high. While most places you dream of travelling around the world are accessible, there are some which will make you leave everything and visit, but you cannot. Literally so. The reasons vary from being banned to tourists to being restricted by the government, and some are just impossible to reach. Here is a list of 10 off-limits places around the world which will entice you but completely elude you.
Vatican Secret Archives- The art, the legends, and the conspiracies- a trip to Vatican city could be one of the most exhilarating things to happen. But one of the world's oldest libraries that dwell inside the city is off-bounds to everyone except some sacred men. The Vatican Secret Archives is a library believed to house ancient books and scriptures belonging to various popes of the past. The conspiracy theory buffs believe that some of the books in the archives contain information questioning the existence of Christ. For now, you can try Google maps.
Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion Ethiopia- This church in Ethiopia is believed to house some of the most significant biblical objects in history. The original structure dates back to the 4th century and was ruled by the first Christian ruler of the Kingdom of Axum, present-day Ethiopia, Ezana. Legends surrounding this place of worship include that the original Ark of the Covenant was brought to this place by King Solomon's son Menelik and that it is still there.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault Norwegian island of Spitsbergen- Stockpiling for doomsday We might already be covered. This seed vault, housing more than 250 million crop seeds placed by gene banks from all over the world, is located in the North Sea on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. The vault is specially built to keep the crops safe from natural calamities or explosions in an apocalypse-like situation. Only designated researchers with valid permits can visit this place.
Snake Island, Brazil- Near Sao Paulo, Brazil, an island stretching between 110 acres is arguably the most naturally poisonous place in the world. Popularly known as Snake Island, Ilha de Queimada Grande is home to more than 4000 snakes and is forbidden from entering by the Brazilian navy. This deadly island is home to the golden lancehead, one of the most venomous vipers in the world, whose venom is said to be so poisonous it can melt human flesh.
Mezhgorye Russia- This could very well be considered an off-limits town in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, where the entry of even Russian citizens outside of that town is forbidden. Only people who live inside the city limits are there, who, if rumours are to be believed, are involved in some top-secret project around Mount Yamantaw. You can only visit this beautiful, nearly abandoned Russian town through Google satellite images.
Lascaux Cave France- A series of caves in the Dordogne region of France, in which prehistoric paintings depicting bulls, horses, and abstract symbols were discovered in 1940. The site is now off-limits to the general public and is only accessible by some scientists each year for research.
Area 51 Nevada- Area 51 is probably the most well-known off-limits place on this list. This restricted secret military base of the US forces exists 83 miles north of Nevada and is said to have a moonlike surface. A heavily guarded area, Area 51 is used for the US military's development of aircraft and weapons systems.
North Sentinel Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands- One of the most fascinating places in this list is North Sentinel Island on the Bay of Bengal. This island is home to the Sentinelese tribe, who are known to resist the invasion of foreigners and haven't let modern civilization interfere with their way of tribal life. All attempts to contact them to date have resulted in the Sentinelese killing them with stones and primitive arrows. You can visit this beautiful and largely uncharted archipelago on Google maps.
Bohemian Grove California- One of the strangest places on the list, this is a private-owned western US state spread across 2700 acres in California that can only be accessed via Google maps. This club organizes weekend camps for some of the most powerful men in the world, including politicians, musicians, and artists. Founded in 1872 by a group of male musicians, artists, lawyers, actors, and journalists, it's a highly guarded place only for a select group.
Surtsey Iceland- Surtsey is a volcanic island nestled in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland. This beautiful island is the southernmost point of Iceland and is completely inaccessible by anyone other than some scientists. Surtsey is believed to be used as a lab to experiment and analyze the interaction between animals and plants without human intervention.