A few weeks ago, on a cold Friday night, when most were sitting in their cozy and warm homes, we were planning a late-night trip to the abandoned Radio Station in Laitse, Estonia.
Laitse Radio Station was built around 1950 for the main transmitter of Eesti Raadio (Estonian Radio). The Station itself consisted of multiple buildings - the main house for transmitters, a building for antennas, a pumphouse and a gatehouse.
The complex was closed in 1998 after the transmitter was shut down due to financial reasons and it stands emtpy until this day.
So, today it has been empty for almost 20 years, with only visitors being stalkers, urban explorers and ruffians. It is -13 degrees Celsius outside and dark as a bag as we set off from Tallinn to Laitse.
We arrive at the Radio Station in complete darkness, with the only light source being our car's headlights. The entrance doesn't disappoint. In the darkness it looks like it jumped out of a horror movie.
Past the main gate, the ominous alley of trees on both sides of the path continues. Our flashlights barely manage to catch a glimpse of the towering building further ahead.
The first floor of the building is trashed, some of it is collapsed. The floor feels too high. Looking below, we see that the floor is covered with a think layer of ice, with water underneath. Luckily there is no danger of stepping into water as we test the strength of the ice with a few smashes from bricks, that are laying aroung. The bricks make almost no dent in the ice...
Following the narrow stairs to the second floor...
After a small hallway, we are greeted with a large hall, with evidence that this was once a magnificent room, with high pillars and windows. Now there is almost nothing left of the glory of old days. Oddly, some of the glass is still intact in the windows.
We climb out of the window and check the roof. Here we discover the reason for the water and ice on the ground floor - the roof has collapsed in many places . The attic has taken most of the hit though, so that has kept the debris from the main rooms.
Back inside, we discover a passage that connects the two main buildings. The passageway connects the second floors, so need to be careful, when peeking out those holes.
We reach the second building and immediately feel the need to complain to the manager - someone has left all the windows open.
My friend finds a light switch but alas, someone has also cut the wiring. Bastards.
Moving on, we discover that the ground floor on this side is as interesting as the second floor on the other side. In the debris lying around, we find old books, manuals, creepy stuff no-one knows what's it for.
We scout around the place for an hour or a little more. We take our leave via the other side of the house.
Laitse Radio Station is a cool place to visit, if you haven't yet had the chance. Visiting it in broad daylight or at night, like we did - it's up to you. Just bring flashlights and friends.
Big thanks for the brief history of Laitse Radio Station to the Hüljatud Eesti blog. Give them a visit for more interesting and abandoned places.