Abandoned. The ruins of some great chateaus
The other day I posed a little blog concerning palaces that had not only been restored and rebuilt, but also some that had been gone for decades when it was decided to rebuild them. Today I want to share some chateauxs and palaces that are crumbling away that could use the same love and restoration as other projects have recieved. Often critics argue that rebuilding these lost palaces is useless. The cost associated along with the fesiability and the adaptive modern use of these buildings can also be challenging. All of these properties cannot become museums, resorts and conference centers. With many challenges in our current global economy the restoration of old palaces often isn't even on the horizan. I do think however that while we may not be able to at present spend the money needed to restore them, perhaps people can find the funds to stabilize the properties preventing further decay and at least allowing future propespects to be entertained.
Chateaux De La Punta is a fantastic property build in 1891 from the remains of the then recently demolished Tuileries Palace that formed the 4th wall of the courtyard at the Louvre in Paris France. After Tuileries was demolished, Duke Pozzo di Borgo of Corsica purchased many of the stones from the facade to build his own palace on a most breathtaking lot overlooking the sea. In 1978 disaster struck and a brush fire caught the roof on fire and destoryed it. With the fire and water damage substained the castle was left in an awful state, but still had enough integrity to be restored. The property stood vacant and open to the elements until the goverment accquired the property and put a new roof on in 1996. This is the only stabilization effort made to date. For 14 years the house has remained shut up and waiting to breath again. There is a society that is trying to keep the preservation alive. http://lapunta.pagesperso-orange.fr/ (In French)
Ropsha Palace is just outside of St. Petersburg Russia and was built in the 1700s for the imperial family. The lands were graced with English gardens and pounds stocked with fish that would be fed on the dinner table inside the great building. It was occupied by the royal family until 1918 when the revolution occured. It was heavily damaged in WWII by the Nazis who looted and plundered the palace and its artworks and furniture. The retreating Nazis contuined their scorched earth policy and planted explosives in the building to leave few remains behind. Ropsha did however survive although badly damanged and scared. The buildings stood in ruins until the 1950s when it was fixed up and the local military used the building. The military left in the 1970s but left the building stripped of its doors and floors and the windows covered with iron sheets. The building contuined to decay until there was discussion to restore the building into a luxery hotel. Sadly in 1990 a fire broke out and destroyed the building to nothing left but a crumbling shell. With an estimated cost of $350 million USD the price isn't cheap but there have been current plans to restore it into a hotel but nothing has been done as of yet. Photos from Paul Gilbert's website http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/royalty/russia/ropsha.html
Current state:
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If you like what you read and want to see this blog and projects keep going PLEASE feel free to donate something, even if it's only a little bit. Every little bit helps on this restoration project. Thanks again!
Chateaux De La Punta is a fantastic property build in 1891 from the remains of the then recently demolished Tuileries Palace that formed the 4th wall of the courtyard at the Louvre in Paris France. After Tuileries was demolished, Duke Pozzo di Borgo of Corsica purchased many of the stones from the facade to build his own palace on a most breathtaking lot overlooking the sea. In 1978 disaster struck and a brush fire caught the roof on fire and destoryed it. With the fire and water damage substained the castle was left in an awful state, but still had enough integrity to be restored. The property stood vacant and open to the elements until the goverment accquired the property and put a new roof on in 1996. This is the only stabilization effort made to date. For 14 years the house has remained shut up and waiting to breath again. There is a society that is trying to keep the preservation alive. http://lapunta.pagesperso-orange.fr/ (In French)
Salon before and after fire
Ropsha Palace is just outside of St. Petersburg Russia and was built in the 1700s for the imperial family. The lands were graced with English gardens and pounds stocked with fish that would be fed on the dinner table inside the great building. It was occupied by the royal family until 1918 when the revolution occured. It was heavily damaged in WWII by the Nazis who looted and plundered the palace and its artworks and furniture. The retreating Nazis contuined their scorched earth policy and planted explosives in the building to leave few remains behind. Ropsha did however survive although badly damanged and scared. The buildings stood in ruins until the 1950s when it was fixed up and the local military used the building. The military left in the 1970s but left the building stripped of its doors and floors and the windows covered with iron sheets. The building contuined to decay until there was discussion to restore the building into a luxery hotel. Sadly in 1990 a fire broke out and destroyed the building to nothing left but a crumbling shell. With an estimated cost of $350 million USD the price isn't cheap but there have been current plans to restore it into a hotel but nothing has been done as of yet. Photos from Paul Gilbert's website http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/royalty/russia/ropsha.html
Above the palace at the turn of the century, below the palace in the 1980s before the fire.
Another amazing castle that lies in ruins in Chateau de Noisy which is located in Belgium. Built in 1886 it was occupied by the family until WWII after which it became an orphanage until 1980. Can you imagine being in an orphanage in this building? What interesting stories those children have had. Sadly the building has been vacant and empty since 1991 which has allowed it to be taken over by the elements, vandals and photographers alike. This impressive structure should be restored and hopefully one day it will, but the costs will be astronomical. Perhaps Germany could help with the financing since it seems their government has a love of old palaces.
Lastly here is one more stunning Russian palace called Muromtzevo Mansion that has been left to rot away.
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Hopefully these can be saved but only through education and awareness.
If you like what you read and want to see this blog and projects keep going PLEASE feel free to donate something, even if it's only a little bit. Every little bit helps on this restoration project. Thanks again!
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