18 Europe’s Abandoned Border Check Stations

Former border posts from before the era of passport-free travel within much of the EU lie in various states of repair, from an abandoned sentry box between Austria and Hungary to a converted museum and restaurant on the French-German border.

The old post between Lauterbourg in France and Berg in Germany has been converted into a restaurant and museum.

Photograph: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

Keeping up appearances, flowers in bloom outside the old custom post in Alveringem in Belgium at the border with France.

Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

The Schengen agreement was signed more than 30 years ago and open internal borders are widely seen as a major achievement of European integration. The abandoned sentry box near Nickelsdorf in Austria at the crossing with Hungary.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

A disused police lookout by the Guadiana river, which divides Portugal from Spain, in Vila Real de San Antonio in southern Portugal.

Photograph: Marcelo Del Pozo/Reuters

This old hut between Scheibenhard in France and Scheibenhardt in Germany is now used as a tourist information office.

Photograph: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

The Schengen agreement has facilitated travel, tourism, trade and supply chains across the bloc, fuelling economic growth. This shot shows the exterior of the tourist office on the French-German border.

Photograph: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

The old customs post on the river at the Belgian-French border at Leers-Nord.

Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

Graffitti covers a negelcted checkpoint at the French-Italian border in Olivetta, Italy.

Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

The border crossing between Austria and Hungary near Rechnitz, Austria.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

A glimpse inside the Rechnitz building.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Paint peels off the unoccupied building at the French-Italian border in Breil-sur-Roya, France.

Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

The sign reads ‘French customs’ in Menton on the French-Italian border.

Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Broken windows and graffitti at this deserted checkpoint in the hills on the French-Italian border in Valico di Fanghetto, Italy.

Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

The customs border in Valença, Portugal, a walled town on the bank of the Minho river, approximately 25km from the Atlantic Ocean.

Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters

The empty building in Rattersdorf, Austria, on the border with Hungary. There have been no border controls since Hungary joined the Schengen agreement.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

European nations are struggling to save their 26-nation Schengen open-border zone. Broken windows and rusted doors at the Rattersdorf building.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

The border between Seltz in France and Plittersdorf in Germany seen from the ferry that crosses the Rhine.

Photograph: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

Frontier closures prompted by uncontrolled movements of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, south Asia and Africa threaten to end the Schengen agreement. Pictured is the border crossing with Slovakia near Kittsee in Austria.

Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

VIA http://www.theguardian.com