Category: Ruin

Ruins – the Casle and the Convent

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The small caste of Torres Vedras, not far from Lisbon, was well worth the visit. On the top of a hill, with a nice view to the town and surronding  área. It was built in the XII century, replacing a primitive muslim fortress. The buildings inside the castle do not exist anymore, and the walls were subjected to several destructions and reconstructions – including the damages caused by the  great 1755 eartquake . A great part of the walls are still well preserved

The Penafirme Convent was built in the XVI century, not far from the sea. It was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. The surviving monks were displaced inland, to a new convent that still exists. The ruins of the old convent are abandoned, half covered by sand. Some arches and windows still exist, as well as the thick walls.

Varosha

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In July 1974, Turkish troops occupied the north and east of the island of Cyprus. This territory gave rise to the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is separated from the Republic of Cyprus by a winding line of territory controlled by United Nations military forces.

At the eastern end of this line, in the area currently controlled by the United Nations, near the city of Famagusta, the Varosha tourist resort was built with an excellent beach, buildings, houses, shops and all the necessary infrastructure along the coast. Faced with the approach of Turkish troops in 1974, the inhabitants abandoned their homes within a few days in a hurry.

The resort of Varosha has remained empty and off-limits for decades. Recently, visitors have been allowed during the day, but no entry into the houses, which are surrounded by fences. They also allow access to the beach during the day.

The area is clean, with no rubbish on the streets, no graffiti on the walls and no animals to be seen. Trees and wild weeds grow freely. It is a case of pure natural decay without human intervention. There is a profound silence and, despite the good weather, the atmosphere is heavy.

Ruins – the Radioactive Hotel

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This Hotel & Spa was built at the beginning of the last century. The strongly radioactive local spring waters were believed to have healing powers and. they were used as a drink, in immersion baths and in colon irrigations (there were reports of patients having repeated enemas up to a total of 35 liters of radioactive water ).

After WW II the dangers of radioactivity became widely known , the Hotel lost his clients and ceased the “therapeutic” activities. The owners went bankrupt, the premises were sold , several entrepreneurs bought and sold the building , furniture, plumbing and tiles were stolen, until it reached the  present state of ruin and decay

As expected, rumors of the place being haunted, sightings of strange lights at night and reports of noises and voices are now a part of the local beliefs. However, it is usual to find there some visitors and the place looks peacefully quiet.

I went there to make some photos. The radioactivity, if it exists at the surface, was not strong enough to fog my negatives…

A view of the Hotel

Getting closer

One wall still remains

Some remains of the floor

And a door

A fireplace is still there

This Hotel & Spa was built with expensive materials and was aimed at wealthy gests from Portugal and from nearby Spain. It is very sad to see its present state.

By the Tagus again.

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Now from a morning walk along the North Bank. I was carrying the small Soviet-made camera Smena-8 and took advantage of the intermitent sunlight.

Some people standing, walking, running and cycling

A few steps West, a meditating person sittin on an old pier – and a couple walking slowly on the rocks as if looking for something.

A cheap plastic camera can make decent images !!!

Ruins (part 2)

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Some months ago I posted a few photos of  the ruins of a Sanatorium from the beginning of the last century.

The building was never  completed, as the owner , a former wealthy entrepreneur, went bankrupt . The remains of the building were remarkably well preserved, no garbage or signs of depredation were visible. The stone walls stood there seemingly indifferent to the passage of time.

Now the bad news: the hundred-year old stone walls were demolished by the current owner, Some sort of hotel will be built there, according to what I know. Another loss… Human actions have more destructive power than the passage of time.

Time portals

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An exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the April Revolution and the end of the colonial wars in Africa. Seven artists created images on very large semi-transparent canvases, installed in the abandoned buildings of the largest ship repair industry in the Lisbon area.

There is visible light from the roof windows coming in through the canvases.

The Soap Factory

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There is a small beach on the Tagus bank, between two cliffs, just west of the 25th April bridge. In the XIX century there was a soap factory there, today only its ruins remain. To get there it is necessary to take a steep path, not easy to find. At the river level we can found two chimneys, parts of the brick walls, lots of rubble and the opening of an old furnace. The place is invaded by briars and thorny wild weeds. The pillars of a former pier are still visible protruding from the water. Some fishermen take advantage of that place, they keep there a small boat and their fishing gear.