A dancer attends the final rehearsal for the new “VIVID Grand Show” at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, Germany, September 26, 2018. (Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

Photographer Vincent Jansen travels throughout Europe, visiting beautiful abandoned places. He explores churches, factories, sanatoriums, mortuaries, villas and theaters, all quietly waiting for renovation or demolition. His photos show a unique perspective on what is happening behind the “no trespassing” signs: where nature is slowly gaining ground and the desolation, loneliness and decay leave their stunning traces. Photo: This piano was located in one of many rooms of a huge chateau in Poland. (Photo by Vincent Jansen)

Orin Larsen of Inglis, Manitoba hangs on to the horse Dancing Queen in the Bareback event during the Calgary Stampede rodeo in Calgary, Alberta, July 10, 2015. (Photo by Todd Korol/Reuters)

Australian comedian Barry Humphries, dressed as his most famous character Dame Edna Everage, modelling a stunning Ascot hat based on the Sydney Opera House on June 15, 1976. (Photo by Wesley/Getty Images)

A boy watches fireworks from a military range weapon, marking the Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrations, at the Artillery Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, February 23, 2023. (Photo by Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo)

A stone giant exhausted after his long travels decided to rest a while and drink from a pond far below. He lay down and started drinking from the crystal clear pond. So delicious was the water that he was unable to quench his thirst no matter how much he tried. Weeks have passed, months, years. The body of the stone giant became one with the hills and even his tongue has turned to water. This might seem like a fairy tale, yet you’ll be able to see this stone giant if you ever come to Wattens, Austria. He’s still there, guarding the entrance to Swarovski Kristallwelted, otherwise known as the Crystal Worlds. This is a one-of-a-kind theme park that was created by the people who first created Swarovski crystals.

Exhilaration beyond imaginable, intense concentration on a single point, and complete freedom of soul – all these things very accurately describe the art of highlining. Highlining is a branch of a new sport called slacklining, which involves walking on special webbing secured between two points. Andi Lewis is one of the most famous slackliners in the world, particularly due to his performance during Superbowl Halftime Show in 2012. He never fails to surprise people with an amazing stunt or a project. This time he and his friends have created a completely incredible hand-knitted hammock located hundreds of feet above the ground. Just getting to this hammock requires immense skills and bravery. But once you’re finally there, you can rest a while, before mustering up the courage to go back across a narrow line with nothing but thin air beneath your feet.

Jo Jo performs at the Q102 s*xy Singles 2012 the at Hotel Palomar on January 26, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo)