We are absolutely fascinated by history, so when we heard about the abandonment of this castle, we couldn’t resist diving deeper into its story. The pictures of this once magnificent structure are truly breathtaking.
This corner of the internet showcases several forgotten places. It’s possible to piece together the events that led to the abandonment of some of these locations. However, it’s a rather disheartening situation.
Words cannot truly capture the majestic beauty of Castle di Sammezzano. This incredibly stunning Moorish castle has been left unused and neglected for over twenty years, exposed to theft and the elements. It was built way back in 1605 in the Tuscan hills of Northern Italy.
Each of the 365 rooms in Castle di Sammezzano represents a day of the year. The palace, designed in the Moroccan style, is like a maze of rooms, each adorned with intricate tile designs. It was constructed by Ximenes of Aragon, a Spanish prince, in the 17th century. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that it gained its distinctive Arabian charm.
Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes, the heir to the dukedom, played a significant but mostly forgotten role in the cultural, social, and political life of Renaissance Florence, back when the city served as Italy’s capital. After dedicating 40 years of his life to designing, funding, and creating what would become the country’s most prominent example of orientalist architecture, Ferdinando, who lived and died on the property, saw it abandoned by modern investors.
The period after the Marquis’s death at the end of the nineteenth century is filled with uncertainty, as historical records are scarce. During the war, the Germans pillaged the castle and took whatever they desired from the park surrounding it, which was renowned as the largest and most exotic in all of Tuscany. They even dismantled an entire bridge and a grotto featuring a Venus statue. When the war ended, the castle was converted into a luxurious hotel, restaurant, and nightclub.
Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any photographs from that time period, and I wasn’t able to find out the name of the hotel before it supposedly closed down in 1990. Castle di Sammezzano remained abandoned for several years until it was purchased at an auction by a British corporation in 1999. However, there has been no activity within the castle since then.
Sammezzano was supposed to have an expansive sports complex with a clubhouse and an 18-hole golf course. However, the investment firm faced financial difficulties, leading to the castle’s neglect and deterioration. The damage caused by external vandalism and the weather is quite evident. Many windows, railings, and valuable lighting fixtures like chandeliers and decorative rosettes were broken or stolen.
In 2013, a local nonprofit committee was formed to draw attention to the castle’s rapid decay. Although they don’t actually own Sammezzano, they do assist in organizing and promoting events there. Unfortunately, Palmerston Hotel & Resorts, a major international hotel and resort chain, has secretly acquired the land.
Among their numerous global projects, they plan to transform Castle Sammezzano into a luxurious 5-star resort, complete with a spa, golf course, tennis courts, and a boutique hotel. They claim to have obtained the necessary permits for the renovations and state that the work will begin in 2014.
While the construction of yet another upscale hotel may not be the happy ending we were hoping for, we can only hope that this Arabian castle will be restored to its former glory. Perhaps one day, we may even receive
