These locations are demonstrations of Nature’s power. As humans we often fall into complacency, thinking that we are in control of our lives and circumstances. As long as Nature isn’t throwing her weight around it’s easy to forget that we exist only so long as Nature permits. Therefore these places are reminders of our frailty and the gift of life.

Furthermore the events that made them famous are notable in and of themselves. Sometimes the local landscapes are striking and even beautiful.

Why do people go to the Coliseum in Rome? Sure it was the site of gruesome spectacles. But it’s also a monument to a fallen empire and all that represents. It is furthermore an impressive bit of architecture in it’s own right. I’d go there for many of the same reasons I went to the Aya Sophia in Istanbul. A place which does not have quite the same history.

Chernobyl is a very interesting case. The local wildlife is making a major comeback despite high radiation levels. This is (most probably) an object lesson in the impact that humanity, by simple occupation, has on wildlife. As such this is a scientific lesson in the various risk factors that the biome faces, and their relative importance to species abundance and diversity. This directly relates to the importance of parks and wildlife preserves.

Sure science may have known this (or perhaps they didn’t?). However you just cannot beat a living example of such matters, one that any ordinary person can go to and experience for themselves. You want to talk about scientific outreach, this is the real thing.

And if there’s a patina of the ghoul there too? Well if that gets people to go and take an interest, that’s not such a bad thing.