The surreal photos that show sanitation workers disinfecting historic monuments around the world

From the Giza pyramid complex, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. These historic sites and others all over the world are usually teeming with tourists, vendors, and any sort of people. We have already seen images of two major Italian cities, Venice and Milan, during the COVID-19 pandemic, completely free of visitors.
And with monuments closed, the tourists have been replaced by other characters like municipal workers from sanitation and utility departments, that can be seen sanitizing these public places. Usually clad in masks, gloves, and protective suits, their job is often to pressure wash these famous spots or spray them with disinfectant.
We have collected some images of those giving a helpful hand at historic sites that, thanks to their efforts, step by step will welcome soon tourists again.
The photos are eerily surreal, and show just how much the world has changed.

Piazza dei Miracoli | Pisa | Italy | March 17 2020 |
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, which was built over the course of 200 years starting in 1173, usually attracts throngs of tourists pretending to hold it up.

Venice | Italy |
During lockdown, Venice’s canals have been clearer since its residents have been self-isolating. Look at our exclusive photos of a Venice empty and completely free of tourists.

Central Station | Milan | Italy |
More than 320,000 people typically pass through the beautiful, museum-like Centrale station in Milan, Italy, every day. It’s one of the largest stations in Europe.

Central Station 2#

Duomo di Milano | Milan | Italy |
The Duomo is one of Milan’s top tourist attractions. According to Duomo Milano, its construction is estimated to have begun around 1386. Look at our exclusive photos of desert Milan city center during lockdown.

Colosseum | Rome | Italy |
The Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sees about 7.4 million visitors a year, according to italian media.

The Altare della Patria | Rome | Italy |
The Altare della Patria in Piazza Venezia in Rome is a popular spot for tourist selfies as it features stunning views of the city.

Moscow | Russia |
Moscow put special safety measures in place at tourist attractions and hotels as early as January 28.

Blue Mosque | Istanbul | Turkey | March 21 2020 |
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, is both a tourist attraction thanks to its cool blue hue, but also an active mosque.

Blue Mosque 2#

Hagia Sophia | Istanbul | Turkey |
The Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions, drawing millions of tourists every year.

Dolmabahce Palace | Istanbul | Turkey |
The stunning, neoclassical Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul used to be the home of Ottoman sultans and attracts visitors with its gilded opulence.

National Library of Greece | Athens | April 1 2020 |

Giza Pyramid Complex | Egypt |
The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built from around 2589 to 2566 BCE. It was the world’s tallest man-made structure until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889.

Giza Pyramid Complex 2#

The Egyptian Museum | Cairo | Egypt |
The 2020 opening of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, which houses items such as the golden mask of King Tutankhamun (pictured), was pushed to 2021 due to the pandemic.

The Western Wall | Jerusalem | March 31 2020 |

Hawa Mahal Palace | Jaipur | India |
The Hawa Mahal palace in Jaipur, India, which has 953 windows, was designed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to allow the women in his royal household to people-watch.

South Korea

Presidential Office Building | Taipei | Taiwan |
Built in 1919, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule, Taipei’s ornate Presidential Office Building features various Japanese design elements, and hosts tours to visitors.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram | Bangkok | Thailand |
Built in 1784, Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (the temple of the Emerald Buddha), is one of the top tourist attractions in Bangkok.

Thepwararam Temple | Bangkok | Thailand |
Thepwararam temple in Bangkok holds the highest royal temple grade.

Tanah Lot | Bali | Indonesia |
Sitting on a rock in the ocean, the Tanah Lot temple is one of the most-visited and photographed temples in Bali and one of its most recognizable landmarks.

Taman Sari Water Castle Complex | Yogyakarta | Indonesia | March 31 2020 |

The Angel de la Indipendecia | Mexico City | Mexico |

A temple in Colombo | Sri Lanka |
Sri Lanka has imposed curfews and lockdowns to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

El Capitolio | Havana | Cuba |
El Capitolio, the most recognizable building in Havana, Cuba, was apparently modeled after the Panthéon in Paris, France.