Villas and Palaces

Villa Imperiali Becker

One nickname calls it the Villa of the Oracle. On a wooded rise above Turin, in the district of Val Salice, a Baroque residence has stood empty for more than three decades, reachable only by a steep footpath through nettles and chestnut coppice. Turinese call it, depending on who is telling the story, Villa Becker, […]

September 8, 2026
Villa Gozzadini

Villa Gozzadini was built in the 16th century by the Bolognese senatorial family of the same name. The last descendant of the family was Count Giovanni Gozzadini, a passionate archaeologist who discovered the Villanovan civilisation. The interior of the villa is embellished with 18th-century frescoes and paintings. Sixteenth-century origins and the Gozzadini family The origins […]

January 4, 2026
Medelana Castle

Medelana Castle, in the hills of Bologna, emerges as an abandoned jewel shrouded in fog and mystery, ready to be rediscovered by urbex enthusiasts. Location and Ancient Origins Hidden in the hamlet of Medelana, in the municipality of Marzabotto and just 30 minutes from Bologna, this manor house stands at 668 meters above sea level […]

January 2, 2026
Purgatory

Hidden among the woods of the Bolognese Apennines, a villa with frescoed ceilings and Latin-scripted walls stays abandoned, its rooms still echoing of those who once came here in search of serenity and reflection. The signs of time Light filters through the open windows onto 1970s sofas, light curtains, and wall paintings whose colors are […]

December 28, 2025
The palace beneath Amer Hill

Walking through the narrow streets that run alongside Amer Fort is an experience rich in contrasts: historic architecture, artisan workshops and temples surrounded by greenery. Along this route, after a couple of shops and small shrines, you come across a large haveli that is very reminiscent of an ancient palace. It does not appear in […]

August 28, 2025
Odhi Bawan

Hidden among the dense vegetation of the Aravalli Hills, in the heart of Jaipur’s Nahargarh National Park, stands a palace that few people know about. It does not appear in official tourist guides and is not signposted along the main trails, but it has withstood the elements for over a century. It is Odhi Bhawan, […]

August 24, 2025
Kolkata and its colonial past

In Kolkata, the former capital of British India, entire neighbourhoods still boast colonial buildings with imposing architecture but in precarious condition. Shovabazar, Bagbazar, Chitpur and the streets around College Street are dotted with buildings that were once symbols of prestige and power, now marked by water damage, peeling walls and exposed beams. Life goes on […]

August 11, 2025
Kailash Palace

Kailash Palace, also known as Kailash Rajbati, is an ancient palace located about 15 kilometres from the city of Deogarh in Odisha, India. It was built between 1916 and 1919 by Raja Dibya Shankar Deb and served as a resting place for the rulers of the ancient state of Bamanda. Today, it is a popular […]

February 2, 2025
Jatan Nagar

Jatan Nagar, a palace with a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere, was built in the early 20th century at the behest of the brother of the king of Dhenkanal. Stories and legends Jatan Nagar was built in the early 20th century by Pattayet Nrusingha Pratap Singhdeo, the younger brother of the then-king of Dhenkanal, Raja Sri […]

October 25, 2024
Villa Miari

In the heart of Montebello Vicentino stands one of the oldest and most majestic mansions in the town, Villa Miari. Surrounded by a vast park of 18,000 square metres, this Palladian villa is now abandoned. The History of Villa Miari: From Origins to Decay The history of Villa Miari dates back at least to the […]

September 11, 2024