The Arctic

These two photographs are separated by 103 years, yet things look eerily similar. The Arctic is one of the most untouched areas in the world due to its inhospitable climate, so much of its natural features haven’t been bothered by human intervention. However, there are some notable differences when you look closely. Of course, the most obvious difference is the boats! In the first image, the man is in an old row boat, but the new photograph has a man in a motor-powered boat. The second difference we have to point out is the distinct lack of ice in the second photograph. The first picture shows a massive wall of ice encasing the mountains, but much of that ice has melted in the following 103 years. This is an unfortunate side effect of global warming, which no area in the world is safe from, regardless of how remote it is.

U.S. National Parks

Martin Luther Statue, Dresden, Germany

Everyone knows the history of Martin Luther. He was a Protestant reformer who often preached against certain church policies. Most famously, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses against papal indulgences, also known as the atonement of sins through monetary payment, on the door of the church at Wittenberg, Germany. In commemoration of his achievements, Ernst Rietschel designed and helped build this statue, which was unveiled on 25 June 1868. It’s astonishing to see the difference between these two photos. The collapsed structures in the first picture have been replaced by beautiful, tall, official buildings. The changes make Martin Luther’s statue appear even more prominent.

The Colosseum, Turkey

Believe it or not, these photographs show a before and after shot of the exact same area. The first photograph shows an area that looks fairly unassuming. Anyone looking at that spot would assume it was just another field surrounded by hills, but they would be wrong. Archeologists discovered that this spot was the site of a Greek-style Colosseum. The bottom photograph shows the remnants of the Colosseum after the site was excavated. Along with this space, archeologists uncovered murals and stone carvings dating back to 3 A.D. This colosseum was likely where warriors and slaves would go (or be sent) to test themselves in battle. It’s pretty wild to see how easily nature is able to reclaim its space once humans are no longer using the area.

Tokyo

One Redditor posted this side-by-side photograph showing the difference 73 years made for this street in Tokyo. The top photograph shows the original poster’s grandfather standing on the side of the street. In the bottom photograph, the OP recreated his grandfather’s picture and stood in his ancestor’s place. So much has clearly changed over the span of seven decades in that town. What once appeared to be a relatively rural area has been transformed into a more modern city, with large buildings and plenty of foot traffic in the background. However, the small field beside the road seems to be pretty similar in both images. Perhaps it’s a city park that the officials have worked hard to preserve.

Corner Of Ratajczaka And Św. Marcin Streets, Poznań, Poland

Looking at the first photograph is enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine. Poland was one of the countries hit the hardest by Hitler’s infamous regime. An estimated minimum of 3 million Jewish citizens of Poland were killed during the Holocaust. By the time the war ended in 1945, Poland’s population was reduced by over 20%, its infrastructure was destroyed, and its capital of Warsaw was in ruins. The first photograph perfectly captures the hopeless, dreary atmosphere Poland experienced during that time period. However, by the time the second photo was taken in 2014, things had improved significantly. A beautiful building has replaced the ruins in the first photo, and everything looks bright and hopeful once more.

Hiroshima

Yet another victim of the awful time during World War II was Hiroshima, Japan. The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. President Truman believed it was an appropriate and strategic target due to the presence of a major port and military headquarters. However, it was also a highly populated urban area, so many innocent people lost their lives in the bombing. The first image shows the aftereffects of the bomb, which incinerated everything in its path. It was a devastating event and many questioned whether the city could ever be rebuilt to its former glory. However, the bottom photograph, taken 75 years later, proves that with resilience and desire, anything can happen. The city has absolutely been rebuilt and looks stunning today.

Pripyat, Ukraine

Those unaware of the town of Pripyat, Ukraine, may not immediately recognize the significance of these photographs, but that will become clear in a moment. Do you remember hearing about the infamous Chernobyl accident in 1986? The meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear power station is considered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. It destroyed the city of Chernobyl, which remains radioactive and off-limits to this day. The nearby city Pripyat was originally built to house the workers of the Chernobyl plant. When the meltdown occurred, those living in Pripyat were affected, and many were forced to abandon their homes. The first photo was taken shortly before the meltdown and the second photo shows the city still abandoned and looking overgrown several decades later.

The Shambles In York

Even if you’ve never seen The Shames in York, you probably feel as though something about these pictures is familiar. Well, trust that feeling in your gut, because this area was the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling’s famous Harry Potter series. The photograph on the left was taken in the late 1800s, while the picture on the right is from the 2010s. As you can see, some things have changed, but much of the street remains unaltered. The buildings have gotten a bit of an upgrade, but they maintain their whimsical designs. Other things, like the cobblestone street, remain the same.

Chaney Glacier, USA

Chaney Glacier is located in the Glacier National Park in Montana. It’s located on the southeast of Mount Kipp on the eastern side of the Continental Divide. The first photograph, taken in 1911, shows a classic black-and-white image of the glacier. But, when you look at the second image, you see that only a tiny portion has remained. Like in many places, Chaney Glacier has been victimized by global warming. Rising temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions have caused the glacier to melt significantly, leaving only a small trace of its former self. It’s a sad thing to witness and a powerful reminder of the effects human activities have had on natural wonders such as this.

Berlin Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is a district of Berlin, Germany, and it’s a highly populated area. The first photograph, captured around 1985, shows a person riding their bike down one of the main roads in this district. As you can see, an imposing concrete wall covered in threatening-looking graffiti sits to his left, while on his right is a series of tall buildings. In the second photo, taken around 2014, the concrete wall has disappeared. The buildings appear the same. The street itself was clearly repaired and enhanced over the years as well.

Moulin Rouge, Paris, France

We’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard of the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France! It’s considered one of the most famous cabarets in the world! The Moulin Rouge was the cradle of the music hall with the famous Mistinguett and it was immortalized by Toulouse-Lautrec. It opened in 1889 and has dazzled the world with performances from major stars like Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, and Edith Piaf. The first photo is dated 1900, but the cars indicate it was taken closer to the 1930s. The following photo was taken in 2016 and shows just how much has changed over time. Aside from the obvious updates to the vehicles lining the streets, the biggest difference has to be the Moulin Rouge sign! Regardless of those differences, much has stayed the same, which only enhances the easy recognition of this iconic street.

Chichen Itza

The Chichen Itza was built by the Mayan people during the Terminal Classic period. It was a large pre-Colombian city located in the Tinum Municipality, Yucatan State, Mexico. It was one of the largest Mayan cities and one of the most diverse, which can be seen by the various architectural styles found throughout the city. The first photo was taken in the 1880s and shows the top of the structure still visible through a growth of foliage. The bottom photo, captured in the 2010s, shows the structure fully excavated, and it truly is an architectural wonder. This structure is the Temple of Kukulcan, which was built sometime between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. It served as a temple to the deity Kukulcan, which was the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

We know that this looks like something out of a fairytale, but it’s actually a real place in France! Mont Saint-Michel is a famous tourist attraction and one of the most stunning sites in France. It looks like a magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey, and it’s been one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations for centuries. Mont Stain-Michel and its pay are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which only adds to their allure. These photos were taken nearly 100 years apart and show just how little has truly changed over that time. The building itself has been largely untouched and, aside from some minor updates to keep the roads passable, very little of the surrounding area has been altered as well.

World War I Trenches

World War I was a significant historical event that resulted in an estimated 20 million deaths. Along with those strategies, this war was also responsible for destroying empires, creating numerous new nation-states, encouraging independent movements in Europe’s colonies, forcing the United States to become a world power, and directly leading to Soviet communism and the rise of Hitler. Some of the bloodiest battles were fought in trenches all throughout Europe, and this photo is an eerie reminder of just how quickly nature can reclaim its space once humans have left. The top photograph captures a moment in the war where soldiers were actively fighting in the trenches, while the bottom photograph shows the same spot many decades later, looking completely untouched.

Reichstag, Germany

There is a very clear difference in the state of this building between these two photos. The Reichstag is a historic legislative government building. It’s the seat of the German Bundestag and the meeting place of the Federal Convention, which elects the President of Germany. Located in Berlin, this building has survived many historic events since its opening in 1892.  In the top photograph, you see the building is almost completely destroyed due to the events of World War II. However, the Reichstag was rebuilt and renovated in 1994 to restore it to a place worthy of conducting official government business. The building once again stands tall and regal, though the chilling history connected with its destruction in the first photo will never be forgotten.

Bishan Park

Bishan Park, also known as Bishan0Ang Mo Kio Park, is a large and popular park in Singapore. It’s located in Bishan, and is a popular destination for residents and tourists. The top photograph was taken in 1988 and the bottom picture was captured in 2020. It’s truly gratifying to see the way nature has blossomed in the 30 years separating these two photographs. The tiny saplings in the first photograph have evolved into massive casuarina trees, and the ferns lining the bridge look vibrant and healthy. This park is well-known for the naturalized river meandering through it. It’s a three-kilometer waterway that was converted from a concrete canal. This park offers a stunning getaway from the humdrum of daily life and it’s a wonderful spot to immerse one’s self in nature.

Hammerfest, Norway

Aside from the obvious color difference, thanks to advanced photography technology, there appears to be very little difference between these two photos. Despite being taken 115 years apart, it appears very little has changed in the municipality of Hammerfest. This small town has approximately 10,000 year-round residents, and it’s considered a quiet and peaceful place to live. Due to its ice-free harbor, Hammerfest was the site of an important naval base throughout the German occupation of Norway in World War II. The town suffered some bomb damage, but they were quickly able to rebuild. Hammerfest has been a popular travel destination for decades. It’s the ideal city to witness the northern lights in the winter and the midnight sun in the summer.

Frauenkirche Dresden, Dresden, Germany

Moscow, Russia

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It’s located on the Moskva River in the west, and its historic core is the Kremlin which is a complex that’s home to the president. The Kremlin also contains tsarist treasures in the Armoury. Outside the Kremlin is the Red Square, which is Russia’s symbolic center. Here you’ll find Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum’s comprehensive collection, and the famous St. Basil’s Cathedral. These two images are only separated by twenty years, but you can still see some significant differences. The city is completely lit up in the second photograph and several brand new skyscrapers have been built behind the main building in the original photo.

Tour Eiffel, Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower has to be one of the most well-known and desirable tourist destinations in the entire world. This wrought-iron lattice tower’s construction began in 1887. It was named after the engineer whose company designed and built the tower, Gustave Eiffel. Many people visit this historic structure in Paris to celebrate the city’s history and indulge in the culture of romance France is well known for. Taken over 100 years apart, there isn’t much that’s different about the tower itself. However, you can see plenty of changes in the background. New buildings stand proudly in the background and a fence has been put in place to control the flow of visitors.

The Banyan Tree In Maui

A poster took to Reddit to share this fascinating and eerie experience. While on a trip to Maui, Hawaii, the OP visited the Lahaina Banyan Tree. It was a gift from missionaries in India and was planted on April 24, 1873, to make the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first American Protestant mission. The tree covers 1.94 and resides in Lahaina Banyan Court Park. After taking the bottom photo of the iconic tree, the original poster returned home and found the top photograph. Apparently, his grandfather had taken the top picture nearly 100 years prior while stationed in Maui during World War II. The original poster had no knowledge of this photograph before he’d taken his own. The tree has grown significantly during the time separating these two pictures and it’s a beautiful piece of the region’s history.

Marcin Street, Poznań, Poland

Marcin Street is a main central street in Western Poland, known for its variety of shops. The original photograph, taken in 1945, shows a war-torn street devastated by violence. Damaged buildings line one side of the street while a massive pile of debris takes over the opposite side. This area of Poland was heavily damaged during World War II, but the country was able to rebuild despite the horrendous effects of the war. The bottom photograph, taken over 70 years later, shows a popular main street completely restored. There are a variety of pleasant shops to visit, the road and sidewalks are pristine, and it appears to be a vibrant area full of life.

The Flatiron Building, New York

Located at 175 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District neighborhood of the borough of Manhattan in New York City, The Flatiron Building is a triangular 22-story, 285-foot tall steel-framed landmark. This building was an architectural marvel when it was first developed and built, and it remains an impressive site to see in the city. The first photograph was captured in 1917 and the second picture was taken nearly 100 years later in 2012. As you can see, very little has changed about the structure and surrounding building itself. The biggest change is the road itself. The road has been transformed into a paved area designed for the high levels of traffic NYC is known for.

Osnabrück Central Railway Station, Germany

The Osnabruck Central Railway Station opened in Osnabruck, Germany in 1895. It’s a popular train station that serves thousands of people each day. The top photograph, taken in 1965, shows the entrance to the station. The parking lot is filled with common models of cars from that time. In the bottom picture, taken in 2015, you see how little has changed about the station itself. However, while the building remains the same, there is a very startling difference. Dozens of bicycles have replaced the cars in the parking lot. It’s a notable difference and proof of the transition German citizens have gone through to become less reliant on personal vehicles.

St Bartholomew-The-Great’s Gatehouse In Smithfield

Tudor London was an interesting time in history, but not many of the buildings from that period remain today. One of the rare remnants from that time that’s still standing today is St Bartholomew’s Gatehouse. St. Bartholomew’s Gatehouse guards the entrance to the church of St. Bartholomew. It’s one of the oldest churches in London, having been built in 1595. At some point, the building was bricked over, which is why it doesn’t appear to resemble Tudor London’s iconic style in the image on the left, which was taken in 1916. However, a bombing during World War I damaged the building and revealed some of its Tudor facade. The city decided to restore the building to its former Tudor glory, which is why it looks so different in the image on the right. It’s now a historically significant and impressive landmark in London.

Osnabrück, Germany

This aerial comparison of Osnabruck, Germany, shows just how quickly the population of a town can grow, given the right set of circumstances. The top picture was taken in 1904 and shows a sparsely populated town. By the time the bottom photo was taken in 2016, the population of this town had seriously expanded. Osnabruck is known for its town hall, where the 1648 Peace of Westphalia was negotiated, bringing the 30 Years’ War to an end. More recently, its become known for its industry. Various companies in the steel, paper, automobile, and grocery sectors are now located in the city and its surrounding area, which has contributed significantly to the increase in population.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is probably one of the most easily recognizable cities in the United States! Known for its steep streets, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the infamous Alcatraz, this city is a vibrant hub of activity. Taking a look at these photos, it’s hard to believe 100 years has passed between them. The photo on the left was captured in 1920. You can see the iconic sloped street and the large classic Victorian homes that make San Francisco so unique. Interestingly, both of these elements remain in the photo on the left, captured in 2020. The only real differences are the lack of overgrown grass on the street and the updated vehicles.

Kjeasen Railway Bridge, Kjeasen, Norway

The Kjeasen Railway Bridge is one of the few remaining solid stone railways. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture that has survived since the early 1920s. The photograph on top shows the railway bridge in 1927, which was only a few years after it was built. You can see a group of people admiring it from underneath the arch. In the bottom photograph, the stone structure remains impressively unaltered by the winds of time. The only discernable difference in the bottom photograph is the updated road and guardrail. Of course, there’s also the additional foliage, as nature was allowed to thrive around the railway bridge uninhibited. It’s a beautiful spot in Norway, and the train ride itself is considered a stunning scenic experience.