Soviet Ghosts: Otherworldly Photos Document Decaying Soviet Architecture from Thirteen Countries

The communist ideology was centered around the idea of progress and industrialization, as ways to achieve an ideal society. The distinct architecture the regime has produced was meant to reflect both these values and also the power of the regime. Twenty-three years after the fall of communism, most of these architectural remains are falling apart. This is what British photographer Rebecca Litchfield set out to document. Her project, Soviet Ghosts, took her to 13 countries which were once part of the Soviet Union or occupied.

Litchfield photographed forgotten towns, factories, prisons, schools, monuments, hospitals, theaters, military complexes, asylums and death camps. Her images have the feel of documentary photography, but she often stages her pictures to maximize their emotional impact.

Soviet Ghosts is published by Carpet Bombing Culture.

All images © Rebecca Litchfield

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