Inside abandoned palace left to rot and crumble a century after it was built
A palace built to host Europe's wealthy elite has been left to crumble just a century after it was constructed.
Paradiso Sul Mare – which roughly translates to "paradise by the sea" – was erected in the seaside town of Anzio, Italy, roughly 50km south of Rome. It once boasted a stunning ballroom adorned with marble statues and chandeliers.
The once-grand building was designed to be a centre for upper class holidaymakers where they could enjoy lavish occasions such as fashion shows, corporate events and casino nights. However, the palace's fortune began to turn after World War Two saw parts of Italy destroyed, and now it looks very different from its glory days, reports The Sun.
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Designed in 1919, Paradiso Sul Mare was inspired by the Art Nouveau movement which informed much of Europe's architecture at the turn of the 20th century. It was commissioned by entrepreneur and mayor of Anzio Giuseppe Polli and opened in 1924.
The beachside palace immediately gained a reputation for being the chosen haunt of sophisticated and creative people and many thought its success as a cultural hub was almost guaranteed. At the time, Italy's coastal regions were enjoying an economic boom and investment from wealthy businessmen and women was flooding into areas like Anzio.
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Paradiso Sul Mare had five stories flooded with natural light from skylight windows and impressive views out to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Hand-drawn artwork featured throughout the palace's interior, from its dance hall and dining room to its two gaming rooms.
But the palace's fate was apparently sealed after Mussolini came to power and implemented his fascist regime. The dictator's vision for Italy saw citizens turn away from luxury and decadence in favour of nationalism, unity and dedication to the country's rulers.
The tourist destination quickly stopped drawing in crowds and was left unappreciated for decades.
Things took a turn for the worse when the palace was turned into a military base during World War Two. Used as a command centre for the allies in Italy, it quickly became a vital part in the effort against Hitler and his supporters.
In the 1960s the palace was converted into a school by the local government. However, only part of the building was used, while the rest remained empty – and after just 10 years, the institution was closed down for good after it failed to bring in students.
The building was later used as an educational centre for people in the hospitality sector but it still wasn't maintained properly and in 2015 it was abandoned completely. It was then the property started to collapse and decay.
A 2016 inspection by the Anziodiva Civic Association said "very serious signs of deterioration" had been found, and the organisation even penned a letter to the mayor expressing their concerns. It is now owned by the town and used as a storage unit for a nearby museum.
However, now that the palace is back in public hands once again it is hoped money will be put towards the restoration of this historic site.
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