Urbex and BDSM: raw locations for unique photography

“Urbex locations: hidden places full of stories“ was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

Definition
Urbex, short for urban exploration, is the exploring and photographing of abandoned or hidden buildings and locations, such as old factories, hospitals or castles, in order to capture the beauty of decay and the story of these places.

Abandoned hospitals with peeling walls. Old theatres where the dust still lies on the seats. Factories where the machines rust but the feeling of activity still lingers. These are urbex locations, short for urban exploration. It is the art (and sometimes the thrill) of discovering forgotten and abandoned buildings. Urbex is not just about the place itself, but about the story behind it. What happened here? Who walked around here when it was still alive? Why was it abandoned? It is a game of beauty in decay, of history in silence.

And it is precisely these kinds of locations that are so inspiring for BDSM photography...

What exactly are urbex locations?

Urbex locations are abandoned, often dilapidated buildings or sites that once had a purpose but are now unused. Think of:

• Factories

• Hospitals or sanatoriums

• Castles and country houses

• Theatres or cinemas

• Military sites or bunkers

Why are they so popular?

Urbex locations are more popular than ever, and there are several reasons for that:

• Photography: They offer unique images - a mix of decay and beauty that you won't find anywhere else.

• History: You literally walk through time and discover stories that are no longer told.

• Adrenaline: There is a hint of tension in the air, because these places are often not officially accessible.

• Peace and mystery: You experience a special kind of silence in spaces where hundreds of people once were.

In addition, social media has made urbex enormously popular. Photos of abandoned places go viral and inspire others to go looking for these kinds of hidden worlds too.

Urbex and BDSM

Urbex locations have a raw, abandoned atmosphere that fits perfectly with the aesthetics and experience of BDSM. The decay of old buildings, the play of light and shadow and the silence of a forgotten space heighten the feeling of tension and mystery. A chained-up sub in an empty factory hall, a Dominant in the dim corridors of an old sanatorium - the location adds an extra layer to the story.

The contrast between power and vulnerability becomes even more intense in an environment that itself bears signs of impermanence and loss of control. For photography, this produces not only spectacular images, but also an emotional charge that you never capture in an ordinary studio. And for the experience itself, such a location can blur the boundaries between fantasy and reality, making the play feel even deeper and more unique.

Please note: urbex is often not legally accessible. Many locations are private property or dangerous because of the risk of collapse, asbestos or other hazards. Anyone who does urbex follows the unwritten rule: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” Urbexers therefore often don't share exact locations publicly, to prevent vandalism. If you do go, do it with respect and be aware of the risks.

Urbex locations in the Netherlands

Hembrugterrein – Zaandam

Hemkade 18, 1506 PR Zaandam
A former military ammunition site with abandoned bunkers, sheds and factory buildings. The atmosphere is industrial and raw, a favourite location for photographers.

Enka Factory - Ede

Dr. Willem Dreeslaan 2, 6716 KE Ede
An old rayon factory with beautiful brick architecture. Parts have been restored, but some spaces still breathe pure decay.

Sanatorium Zonnegloren - Soest

Birkstraat 131, 3768 HE Soest
An abandoned sanatorium that was once used for tuberculosis patients. Long corridors, old beds and an uncanny atmosphere.

IJmuiden Hoogovens - Velsen-Noord

Wenckebachstraat 1, 1951 JZ Velsen-Noord
A vast industrial site with old installations and factory halls. Please note: parts are still active premises, so access is risky.

Hotel KVL – Oisterwijk

Almystraat 14, 5061 PA Oisterwijk
Once a luxury leather factory, later temporarily used as a hotel. Many spaces are abandoned and still show traces of the old industry.

Urbex locations in Belgium

Fort de la Chartreuse - Liège

Rue des Petites Roches, 4000 Liège
An old military fort that is slowly being taken over by nature. Known for its imposing corridors and graffiti.

Château Miranda (Noisy) - Celles

Rue du Château 1, 5561 Celles
A fairytale castle that once served as an orphanage. Now partly dilapidated, but still an iconic urbex spot in Belgium.

Hôpital Plaza - Brussels

Exact address is kept secret
An old hospital with operating theatres, beds and laboratories that are still partly intact. Popular with photographers because of the light and the atmosphere.

Hasard Cheratte Factory - Cheratte (Liège)

Rue de Visé 227, 4600 Cheratte
A former coal mine with impressive towers and sheds. A typical example of Belgian industrial history.

Castle of Mesen - Lede

Kasteelstraat, 9340 Lede
A beautiful castle that has partly collapsed. The grand staircase hall and chapel still give a sense of grandeur and faded glory.

Urbex locations outside the Netherlands and Belgium

Hashima Island - Japan

Hashima Island, Nagasaki, Japan
This abandoned island was once a colony for miners and their families. Now the tall concrete buildings stand like a ghost town in the sea. Known from the James Bond film Skyfall.

Pripyat - Ukraine

Pripyat, near Chernobyl, Ukraine
The city that was abandoned in a rush after the nuclear disaster in 1986. Schools, flats and the famous Ferris wheel still stand exactly as the residents left them.

Beelitz-Heilstätten Sanatorium - Germany

Beelitzer Heilstätten, Straße nach Fichtenwalde 13, 14547 Beelitz, Germany
This sanatorium once treated tuberculosis patients. The abandoned operating theatres and long corridors are breathtaking and creepy at the same time.

Varosha - Cyprus

Varosha, Famagusta, Cyprus
An entire seaside resort that has been hermetically sealed off since the Turkish invasion in 1974. Hotels, shops and beaches stand there as if time stood still.

Hôpital de la Marine - France

Rue de la Marine, Rochefort, France
A former naval hospital with impressive architecture. The wards still breathe the atmosphere of past medical history.

Kolmanskop - Namibia

Kolmanskop, near Lüderitz, Namibia
An old diamond mining town that has been taken over by the desert. Sand dunes fill the houses up to the ceiling – a surreal sight.

Michigan Central Station - USA

2001 15th Street, Detroit, Michigan, USA
A gigantic railway station that had been abandoned since the 1980s and symbolised the decline of Detroit. Now partly restored, but still impressive.

Oradour-sur-Glane - France

87520 Oradour-sur-Glane, France
A village that was destroyed by the Nazis in 1944 and has been left untouched as a war memorial. Cars and buildings stand as they were left.

Canfranc International Station - Spain

Estación Internacional de Canfranc, 22880 Canfranc-Estación, Spain
A once luxurious railway station in the Pyrenees that is now falling into decay. The imposing halls and architecture make it one of Europe's most photogenic urbex spots.

Frequently asked questions

Mistress Moriah

Source

Text & photography: Mistress Moriah