Eerie photographs reveal the crumbling remains of a Soviet Circus that now lies abandoned in one of Europe’s poorest countries
The Chisinau Circus in Moldova used to draw crowds up to 2,000 people
EERIE photographs reveal the wrecked remains of a Soviet Circus that now lies abandoned in one of Europe's poorest countries.
The Chisinau Circus, in Moldova, used to draw crowds up to 2,000 people, eager to see the majestic trapeze artists and exotic animals perform.
Elephants, bears and lions would bedazzle spectators in the country's largest auditorium, which was built under USSR rule in 1981.
Moldova declared itself a republic in 1991 and the crumbling circus remains one of the last standing structures affiliated to communist occupation.
The circus closed its doors in 2004 and the once popular performance space is now an eerie memory of the site's halcyon years.
Photographer Bob Thissen said time has stood still since its days as a circus and it still boasts impressive murals and statues.
Bob, 31, from Herleen in the Netherlands said: "Almost nobody has been to this place, maybe because it's not so easy to get there.
"It's like time is standing still inside the building.
"I'm a real a fan of the brutalism architecture, it often has a sci-fi look.
"I loved the architecture of the building itself both interior and exterior.
"The floor tiles with animals and the murals are a highlight of the building.
"Because it's the poorest country in Europe, I was afraid the murals would have been stolen, sold or removed.
"But I was happy to find them still inside."
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The Republic of Moldova was established during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and later adopted its own constitution three years later.
It has been declared one of Europe's poorest countries and has one the lowest life-expectancy, with men living 67.5 years and women 75.5.
Bob visited last year and was relieved the building was still standing after many structures associated to USSR were demolished.
Bob added: "I've noticed a lot of buildings and monuments in eastern Europe are being torn down because it's communistic, which is a real shame.
"It's good to see this building is protected, secured and probably preserved for the future.
";Some smaller parts of the building are in use again as a theatre, but the main part, and in my opinion the most interesting part, is still closed, waiting to be refurbished."
Earlier this month, Bob took creepy photographs of an abandoned theme park in South Korea.
Gaya Land in the city of Gimhae opened in 1991 but was forced to shut in November 2011 because of a lack of visitors.
In the five years since, many of the rides have become completely overgrown with brambles and weeds.
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