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Castle of Sammezzano, Source: Castello di sammezzano

The Amazing Technicolor Castle of Sammezzano in Tuscany has been abandoned for more than 25 years

The Amazing Technicolor Castle of Sammezzano in Tuscany has been abandoned for more than 25 years

There are 365 rooms - one for every day of the year

The Castle of Sammezzano is a rare example of eclectic and Moorish architecture in Europe. Over the second half of the 19th century, this formerly medieval castle was transformed into a fine example of the Orientalist fashion by Marchese Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona. Ferdinando was influenced by several Eastern trends, focusing on two particular styles: Arabic-Moorish, with its white “intertwined ropes” of stucco, and Indo-Persian, characterized by strong polychromatic colours.

Following the Second World War, the castle became a luxury hotel. However, for over 25 years the site has been unoccupied and neglected with its ownership remaining insecure. As a result, broken windows have gone unmended and leaking roofs unrepaired, which in turn led to severe water damage and major deterioration of the fabric of the building. The lack of security has laid the site bare to thefts and vandalism.

Source: Europa Nostra

 

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