Buzz
We might not always notice it, but Google Maps has changed our daily lives in ways we can't even imagine. Most of the apps we use today wouldn't be possible without its groundbreaking technology. We've said goodbye to asking strangers for directions, and for the first time, we can explore travel destinations we would have never been able to visit in such vivid detail.
That said, there have been moments when Google Maps has given us a serious case of the creeps. Users have discovered some truly bizarre and eerie sights simply by scrolling through Google Maps and its Street View feature, with some being mildly creepy and others bordering on terrifying.
10. A Potential Scientology Facility
Scientology is a strange mix of science and faith, with a hefty dose of alien influence that we don't have the time to dive into right now. It's often brought up when a Hollywood celebrity is linked to it, which is probably for the best, as the whole thing is too complicated to fully comprehend.
What’s strange, though, is that there are several locations across the U.S. and the world suspected of being Scientology centers. One such place is the Trementina Base in New Mexico, visible on Google Maps. It's marked by two overlapping circles with diamond shapes in the middle, and it's clear someone put considerable effort into creating it.
While many people speculated that it could be a facility designed to monitor aliens arriving on Earth (or something along those lines), an ex-Scientologist dismissed this theory as absurd. According to him, the real purpose of the facility is much more practical: it serves as a guide for followers towards the works of L. Ron Hubbard, which are said to be written on gold plates and stored in titanium boxes.
9. Bodies Found in a Dumpster
A quick glance at this Google Maps image might be enough to unsettle you. Could you have stumbled upon a town of murderers or cannibals? The unsettling moment appears to have been captured on trash pickup day, with garbage bins scattered along the roadside. Among the usual refuse, however, there are some incredibly eerie items in the mix. Among the boxes, bins, and typical waste, a collection of what some believe to be 'dead bodies' can be seen.
The person who found this image described the scene as follows: 'Google Street View captures a dumpster filled with dead bodies in Chile!' Indeed, around six human-like figures can be spotted among the trash. One lies face down in front of the bins, while another is crammed upside down into one, with its legs sticking out. A third figure slouches next to a bin, resembling someone sitting on the curb. Another body is wedged into a can, with only its head and arms visible. At first glance, this scene left users horrified, but upon closer inspection, it seems these 'bodies' may not actually be human. Their fabric-like appearance and color suggest they are mannequins.
8. Giant, Disfigured Bunny
Imagine casually scrolling through Google Maps and unexpectedly stumbling upon a giant, twisted pink bunny. Located in Northern Italy, its face is contorted and appears to be screaming, giving the entire scene an even more disturbing feel. If you happen upon it, you might think your app is malfunctioning, or perhaps someone went to extreme lengths to create a creepy giant bunny for people to spot from above. Luckily, it’s the latter, and there's no connection to the occult.
In truth, the bunny is part of an art installation by a Viennese collective, designed to be a gathering place for visitors. One of the creators mentions that its purpose is to be something enormous that makes you feel small, which it certainly does if you find yourself up close. However, from a distance, it takes on the appearance of an abandoned, mangled bunny, reminiscent of the kinds of eerie scenes that open many horror films.
7. Nogoro, Japan
If you're exploring the Japanese countryside on Google Maps, chances are you'll come across the quiet, sparsely populated village of Nogoro. From a distance, it may seem like a town filled with people just hanging out, but as you zoom in, you'll realize they’re actually motionless dolls. We hope you don’t discover this late at night, especially if you’re alone.
The village is on its way to becoming a ghost town, with its residents constantly leaving in search of better opportunities in the cities. The dolls, created by a woman named Ayano Tsukimi, are a tribute to those who have left, and oddly enough, this is the only way she could think to honor them. We don’t know about you, but the idea that each of these dolls symbolizes someone who is now gone definitely adds a chilling layer to the whole thing.
6. Underwater Pyramids
While we don’t usually indulge in conspiracy theories (unless they’re unsettling or fascinating), some of the mysterious locations found on Google Maps have done their part in fueling these ideas. One such location is the underwater pyramid discovered in the Bahamas.
Many tabloids and conspiracy enthusiasts have hailed the discovery as evidence of aliens, Atlantis, and other fantastical notions that likely have no basis in reality. The pyramid was first spotted by a conspiracy theorist, but that doesn't mean the structure isn't real. Some experts speculate it could be the remains of an ancient civilization's creation, though they also admit that there’s no way to completely rule out the possibility of it being a secret alien base.
5. Pigeon People
If you take a stroll through the streets of West Tokyo on Google Maps, you might come across a line of people just standing and staring at you. While they might appear to be ordinary folks simply observing the Google Street View crew, there's something unsettling about the fact that every one of them is wearing pigeon masks. The mystery deepens when you wonder, 'Where on earth did they find so many pigeon masks?'—and that’s just one of the strange aspects of this bizarre sight.
It turns out the pigeon people were simply locals who were aware of the Google crew and decided to make an appearance in the final street photo. In the end, it's all in good fun and harmless, especially once you know the backstory.
4. Abandoned Gas Masks
Exploring Pripyat, the site of the most catastrophic nuclear disaster in history, is a haunting experience in itself. Now a desolate town, it’s filled with ruined buildings that will remain abandoned for the foreseeable future. The eerie decay is something we at Mytour have a particular fondness for.
Yet, the most chilling sight in the entire town is a room full of discarded gas masks, and in a place like this, that's saying a lot. It’s unclear whether it’s the sheer number of masks or the fact that they’re small, child-sized, and found within an abandoned school that makes it so disturbing.
3. Murder Victim
For those who have ever wondered if Google Maps might unintentionally capture a major crime, the answer is yes. One such instance occurred in Richmond, California, where the body of a 14-year-old boy was discovered on Google Maps. The chilling image showed the deceased surrounded by police cars and detectives, implying the photo was taken shortly after the body was found.
Understandably, the victim’s father was deeply affected by the images and quickly asked Google to remove them. The image was taken down within days, but it does raise the question of whether Google Maps still holds images of other serious crimes around the globe.
2. Ariel Castro’s Blurred-Out House
When it comes to infamous criminal cases, few are as disturbing or unforgettable as that of Ariel Castro. He kidnapped three women and held them captive for over nine years. His reign of terror ended only when one of the women managed to escape with her six-year-old child, whom she had conceived and given birth to while imprisoned. Castro faced multiple charges, including rape, aggravated murder, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
So, how is it connected to map locations? The house where Castro held the women captive was visible on Google Street View. However, it has now been entirely blurred out. While it would have been unsettling enough to see the house in its unaltered form, the fact that it's obscured due to the severity of the crime adds an extra layer of eerie discomfort.
1. El Bronx, Colombia
Before its demolition, El Bronx in Bogotá, Colombia, had earned a notorious reputation as one of the most perilous areas in the city. Known for its high crime rate, it was a place no one would dare walk through, whether by day or night.
Though the area no longer exists, Google’s Street View team managed to capture it during its darkest days. What might appear as a typical slum street becomes much more chilling when you learn that the neighborhood was infamous for child prostitution and murder. Some of the buildings were even used to store murder victims, whose bodies were later thrown to starving dogs as a brutal warning to rival gangs.
