In the disputed region of Abkhazia lies the wreckage of a vastsite that promised heroic sporting victory over westernrivals; a dense forest near the Czech capital of Prague hidesan eerie castle rumoured to possess supernatural powers; inLiberia, West Africa, the ruin of a luxury hotel taken by acruel warlord, then transformed into safe haven; and innorth-central Arizona, a settlement's scattered remains revealan ancient community given life by a deadly force.