Million-dollar mansions left to languish
Empty and unloved, some of the world’s priciest properties have been forsaken by their owners and left to languish, from royal residences to presidential holiday homes and sprawling manor houses. But what led to their fall from grace? We take a look inside some of the most expensive derelict mansions in the world and uncover the mysteries behind their abandonment. Click or scroll on for more…
Derelict palazzo, Żebbuġ, Malta
Over in the city of Żebbuġ, Malta, you’ll find a hauntingly beautiful building that has seen better days. This historic palazzo has been left untouched for years, but luckily it is still structurally sound according to Chrstie’s International Real Estate, who are currently attempting to offload the property for nearly $6 million (£5m).
Derelict palazzo, Żebbuġ, Malta
Occupying an 0.74-acre plot, the house boasts a stunning walled garden with landscaped flowerbeds, 300 orange trees, a majestic pine tree and nine wells. Inside, you’ll find 5,382 square feet of living space that showcases the building’s amazing history, as well as a private chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Forsaken Souls, which enjoys Grade l protection.
Derelict palazzo, Żebbuġ, Malta
Occupying an 0.74-acre plot, the house boasts a stunning walled garden with landscaped flowerbeds, 300 orange trees, a majestic pine tree and nine wells. Inside, you’ll find 5,382 square feet of living space that showcases the building’s amazing history, as well as a private chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Forsaken Souls, which enjoys Grade l protection.
Derelict palazzo, Żebbuġ, Malta
From its intricately carved columns to its beautiful tiled floor, there’s much to love about this abandoned mansion. In total there are 15 palatial rooms inside the home. The main residence of the family, including six bedrooms, was located in the high-ceilinged halls of the piano nobile on the first floor, traditionally the principal floor of a palazzo.
Many of the interior spaces boast vaulted ceilings, ornate fireplaces and arches, while others open up to an interior courtyard that’s flooded with natural light. There’s a banquet hall featuring four 15-foot-high statues representing the four seasons, as well as original stone st
Unique to the palazzo is a private theatre on the ground floor, which still retains many of its spectacular trompe-l’oeil murals and decorative detail. Plans to turn the property, also known as Villa Buleben, into a 50-room hotel were suspended last year, according to reports, due to local opposition, so it’s now back on the market – and ready to be brought back to life!
