Plymouth, Former capital city in Montserrat.
Plymouth is an abandoned capital city in Montserrat, now buried beneath meters of volcanic ash and mud. Streets, homes and public facilities disappeared after multiple eruptions of the Soufrière Hills volcano that began in 1995 and rendered the city uninhabitable.
Settlers founded the town in 1632 and it quickly became the trading and administrative center of the British colony. Residents left the city in 1997 after the volcano made safety impossible and the government relocated to another site.
Churches and public buildings once rose from the streets and reflected the British colonial era that spanned centuries. St. Anthony's Church, one of the island's oldest religious sites, remained a place for gatherings and worship until the evacuation.
The entire area remains closed for safety reasons, but observation points at Garibaldi Hill offer clear views of the ruins. Guided tours are sometimes available and allow a controlled look at the destroyed streets and buildings.
Despite the destruction, this place officially remains the capital of the territory, even though no one lives there anymore. The government operates from a temporary location in Brades while the old seat rests under ash.
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