Once a symbol of a dictator’s excessive wealth, Bamboo Palace has now become a desolate hideaway, serving as a stark reminder to those in power, though it’s doubtful they would take heed. In the past, when it served as the residence of President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Bamboo Palace was a monument to extravagance. It boasted every luxury imaginable, including a runway capable of accommodating the Concorde for impromptu shopping trips to Paris.
Interestingly, one of the most opulent abandoned mansions in history can be found right in the heart of the Congo. During the 1970s, President Mobutu Seso Seko ruled over Zaire, and he used his vast fortune to construct a $100 million palace in the remote village of Gbadolite. This palace featured an impressive indoor pool within a private courtyard, chandeliers gracing every room, and priceless European artwork adorning its walls. It even boasted a nightclub where extravagant parties with up to 2,000 guests were hosted. To put its remoteness into perspective, this mansion was situated nearly 1,000 miles away from the capital, Kinshasa. President Mobutu would travel to a private airfield near the palace, which was equipped to handle international flights, for his expeditions.
However, in 1997, Mobutu was ousted from power, and rebel forces attacked his luxurious compound. Zaire was transformed into the Democratic Republic of Congo. After his fall from power, raiders stripped the palace of its riches. President Mobutu managed to escape to Morocco and lived for a few more months before passing away. Today, all that remains is the stone facade of what was once a symbol of opulence. Even the airport has been abandoned, as the local residents lacked the means to utilize it. When BBC reporters journeyed to the mansion, they had to endure a two-day drive through a remote area just to locate it.
