Shutdown silence
Needless to say, cities all over the world are looking very different than they did a couple of months ago. Due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the once-bustling places all around the world are now empty. While the circumstances surrounding this absence of people could not be further away from peaceful, the pictures of these empty streets have a strangely calm quality to them.
These pictures also induce a sense of calm just by looking at them.
A clear street in downtown Toronto, Canada
Downtown Toronto is normally a hot-spot of bars, restaurants and big crowds. As Canada’s most-populated city and home to over 5,429,000 people, it now looks like time is standing still.
An abandoned Pershing Square in New York City
It’s normally impossible to not see big crowds trying to get to Grand Central Terminal. Without the commuters though, Pershing Square looks strangely calm.
Colourful house walls in Burano, Venice, Italy
Venice’s colourful homes, afternoon sun, pigeons, but not a person in sight – this picture sure has a postcard quality to it.
An empty waterfront in Shanghai, China
Sunny days mean big crowds for any waterfront – but not these days. Looking at this picture does still get your mind off the anxiety around you though.
Time stands still in Porta San Paolo, Italy
Tourists flock to Porta San Paolo to get a slice of history, especially on nice days. This day though, it looks like the time has decided to stand still.
Deserted streets of Rome, Italy
Rome’s inhabitants are all staying in their homes to prevent the spread of the pandemic. It looks like the city’s streets are silently waiting for their return.
Misty Princess Street in Edinburgh, Scotland
The fog, streetlights and the lack of people gives Misty Princess Street a mysterious appearance.
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A silent night in Rome, Italy
Looking at this beautiful picture of empty Rome in nightlights does give you a glimmer of hope.
The sleepy streets of A Coruña, Spain
Looking at this picture, you could think that the city’s inhabitants decided to take a collective afternoon nap.
A crowd-less Times Square in New York
With the inhabitants of New York practising social distancing, it seems like Times Square is getting a break from all the crowds for once.
A peaceful park in Lausanne, Switzerland
This beautiful park in Lausanne is almost empty, aside from a handful of people. It looks eerily peaceful and quiet.
Colourful houses on a still street in Bologna, Italy
It’s just as if these colourful houses decided to pose for a picture.
