collapsed

Teatro Balconi

This is presumably Italy’s most famous abandoned theatre. The beautifully decorated interior with red private viewing boxes and the slowly collapsing balcony make this a popular destination among urban explorers.
This historical theatre, built in the mid-19th century is a beautiful piece of art. There was room for over 300 visitors. On both sides of the stage there were VIP-boxes for the wealthy visitors who wanted the best view. Next to the VIP-boxes there were three layers of private boxes and opposite of the stage there was a balcony which offered space for about 50 spectators. Read More

Manicomio di R

In the 1870’s Manicomio di R was built. At the time, it was a small charity hospital and over the years it was expanded and transformed into a mental asylum which at its peak moment housed 1800 patients.
In those manicomio’s the most cruel therapies were used to “cure” patients. From electroshock therapy to all kinds of new and experimental surgery on the nervous system. Read More

Château des Pierres Volées

It is said that in the 12th century a count built a château here. It was reconstructed a few centuries later. Over the years (and due to the French Revolution) it turned into a ruin. Near the end of the 18th century it was sold to some local farmers which tore down some of the walls and used the stones to construct their farmstead. Read More

Krankenhaus am Wald

This hospital was a family business, it was handed down from one generation to another. It was established around the beginning of the 20th century and was specialised in internal diseases and rehabilitation of patients. Read More

Scala Santa

Scala Santa means “Holy Stairs”; the Holy Stairs consist of a set of stairs which pilgrims go up on their knees, praying on each step. On both sides, a normal set of stairs is leading down.

This church started as a small altar, located in a cave. Eventually a church was built integrating the cave and the altar, in the 1830’s the Holy Stairs were added. Read More

Villa Beemwee

Barely anything is know about this villa in the Belgian Ardennes. The building is quite small for a ‘villa’, especially compared to the other villa’s in this particular neighbourhood. Nevertheless, given the style with the ‘grand’ entrance with columns on either side and the richly decorated exterior, I think it deserves to be called a villa. Read More

Pottery S

At the end of the 18th this pottery was established. It’s first years were difficult and in the 1800’s it got in the hands of a German man. At this time, the pottery was mainly focussed on ceramic tiles. In addition, decorative and ornamental pieces were made, as well as crockery.

The following century the pottery stayed in the same family. Business was going well and from the 1850’s-1860’s two new steam-powered factories were built. The pottery was considered one of Europe’s larges pottery’s at the time. After the annexation of Lorraine to Germany in 1871 the pottery expanded to two new locations in France. Read More

Château de la Couronne

This neoclassical style château was built in the 19th century. It got renovated in the 90’s, but only two weeks after the renovations it burnt to the ground.

The former grandeur is still visible from the outside and among the collapsed rooms you can still find beautifully decorated fireplaces and stairwells. Read More

Château S

In the 1640’s, this château was built for a rich family in which it stayed for centuries. In the 1850’s the -also abandoned- coalmine across the street opened and from the early 1900’s the château served as director’s residence. Read More