A relative of murdered prisoner, lies on a chair next to his coffin during a wake after a prison riot in the city of Altamira, Para state, Brazil on July 30, 2019. At least 57 prisoners were killed by other inmates during clashes between organized crime groups in the Altamira prison in northern Brazil Monday with 16 of the victims being decapitated, according to prison officials. (Photo by Bruno Kelly/Reuters)

People look at buildings displaying a light show on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Noel Celis/AFP Photo)

MY Raven, a former steamer now converted to diesel, cruises across Ullswater from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge in Cumbria, UK on October 25, 2024. (Photo by Andrew McCaren/London News Pictures)

Jade Marvin from Starlight Express gets her skates on for a special number at The Olivier Awards 2025 at The Royal Albert Hall on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by David Levene/The Guardian)

A mandarin duck swims through reflections of spring growth and blossom on a pond in Richmond Park in London, Britain on April 28, 2025. (Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters)

The moon rises on the behind the “Torchbearer” statue in Hannover, Germany, Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Photo by Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP Photo)

Only the most intrepid urban explorers cross the tattered ruins of the old Iron Curtain to endure the excessive bureaucracy, military paranoia and freezing winds of the East to hunt for the ghosts of an empire. Rebecca Litchfield is one who couldn’t resist the haunting allure of the ruins of the Soviet Union.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L) visit Seppeltsfield Winery in Barossa Valley, Australia, 10 November 2015. The royal couple are on a 12-day tour visiting seven regions in New Zealand and three states and one territory in Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/EPA)