Inside Europe’s most mysterious abandoned palaces, castles and mansions

Grand estates that stand deserted

These abandoned European palaces are shrouded in mystery, from mouldering mansions to crumbling castles. While they may once have been the most opulent residences in the region, after years of neglect each of these once-stately homes is now a mere shadow of its former glory.

But, what caused them to be abandoned in the first place and will they ever be restored? Read on to tour these remarkable relics and learn more about their history...

Castillo Torre Salvana, Catalonia, Spain

The abandoned ruins of Castillo Torre Salvana can be found just outside Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain.

The grand medieval castle is over 1,000 years old and despite having a rich history, it now sits vacant, dilapidated and open to the elements.

Castillo Torre Salvana, Catalonia, Spain

Constructed some time in the 10th century, the castle is thought to have once been a defensive fortress, used to protect the area against external attacks and control movement across the nearby Llobregat River.

The original building consisted of one square tower, surrounded by a wall. However, it has undergone various modifications over the years and was partially destroyed during the Catalan Civil War in 1224.

Castillo Torre Salvana, Catalonia, Spain

It's unclear why the fortress ended up abandoned but it's likely it became redundant. Today, it sits in ruins and has become a popular tourist spot.

Many of the walls have eroded over time, the windows are long gone and the roof and internal ceilings are all but rotted away. The second floor remains intact and is said to provide fantastic views across the surrounding Colonia Güell, a purpose-built village that was constructed for the workers of a nearby textile mill.

Castillo Torre Salvana, Catalonia, Spain

The castle is said to be haunted, with many explorers claiming to have heard “forceful blows, horse footsteps, clashes of swords, cannon shots, cries, voices”. 

Some have reportedly even been grabbed by invisible beings or had stones thrown at them. One anecdote is that the castle is home to a “black, dense and viscous smoke that seems to enter through the windows”. Those who have seen it say that the smoke "entered and left the castle and shortly after settled on their heads". Eerie!

18th-century château, Burgundy, France

Located less than a two-hour drive away from Lyon and Dijon, in the Bresse region of Burgundy, this impressive 18th-century château is surrounded by woodlands, rivers and sparse countryside. 

The structure used to face two outbuildings, one of which still exists, and was bordered by an old moat.

18th-century château, Burgundy, France

The abandoned mansion was rebuilt during the second half of the 18th century and was crafted entirely from brick, with stone foundations. It features a central section flanked by two symmetrical, slightly projecting wings, all topped by an imposing roof.

Though we don’t know too much about the residence, it was probably abandoned after the French Revolution, listing agent Patrice Besse suggests, and used as a farmhouse until the end of the 20th century.

18th-century château, Burgundy, France

Due to the tax on doors and windows that was in force until 1926 in France, many of the openings on the first floor were filled in with bricks and those on the ground floor were reduced in size.

As for the interior, it spans 5,382 square feet (500sqm) and is seriously dilapidated. Despite this, you can still get a sense of the home’s former glory, thanks to its striking dogleg oak staircase, preserved beamed ceilings, painted friezes, plaster fireplace mantels and oak doors.

18th-century château, Burgundy, France

Laid out over three floors, there’s also a spacious, three-volume attic, the height of which would allow for conversion. There are five bedrooms in total, as well as endless formal spaces that are waiting to be rescued.

Amazingly, the huge property was for sale in December 2024, via Patrice Besse, for €650,000. That’s just £536,300 ($676k).

Château de Dönhoffstädt, Drogosze, Poland

A sprawling Baroque-style palace nestled amid parkland in the village of Drogosze, in the north of Poland, Château de Dönhoffstädt has been referred to as the East Prussian Versailles for its spectacular façade and expansive grounds.

The palace itself was constructed in the early 18th century by Count Bogusław Friedrich von Dönhoff, a Prussian noble, who had inherited the estate after a previous incarnation of the palace burned down.

Château de Dönhoffstädt, Drogosze, Poland

The new palace, which was constructed between 1710 and 1714, was fashioned as the seat of the Dönhoff dynasty and was accordingly rechristened Dönhoffstädt.

The residence was designed to be a showpiece of wealth and power and features 365 windows, one for each day of the year, 52 rooms, one for each week of the year, 12 chimneys, one for each month, and seven balconies – one for each day of the week.

Château de Dönhoffstädt, Drogosze, Poland

The palace was one of the largest residences in the region and was rumoured to have hosted an impressive array of guests in its halcyon days, including Napolean Bonaparte and Frederick William IV, King of Prussia.

The palace continued to pass through noble hands until the Second World War, at which point its inhabitants fled the property in favour of safer accommodation elsewhere. When the war ended, the château was used as offices for the NKVD, the Soviet Secret Police.

Château de Dönhoffstädt, Drogosze, Poland

It was during this post-war period that the palace began to decline, falling prey to looters who stripped it of its valuable artwork and furnishings. While some of the estate’s grand features have been retained, such as the beautiful family chapel pictured here, the château itself was reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory.

In the 1990s, the palace was purchased by a private buyer, but, as far as we know, no substantial renovations have yet been made to the property.

Tatoi Palace, Mount Parnitha, Greece

Known as Tatoi Palace, this spectacular ruin was once a vibrant summer retreat for the late Prince Philip’s (husband to Britain's late Queen Elizabeth I's) parents, the Greek royal family. However, it has sat abandoned since the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1973.

The 10,000-acre (4,047ha) estate was originally purchased by King George I in 1872 with private funds from Denmark, to build a summer retreat for his wife and children.

Tatoi Palace, Mount Parnitha, Greece

Complete with staff quarters, farmland, stables and beehives, the estate is nestled in a bucolic woodland interspersed with rivers and home to plenty of local wildlife. It is therefore unsurprising that the royals, upon finding their summer retreat far more peaceful and secluded than their primary residence, decided to make Tatoi their permanent home.

When the Greek royal family was forced into exile after the revolution in 1973, the palace was handed over to the state, still full of the family’s furniture and possessions.

Tatoi Palace, Mount Parnitha, Greece

The site was explored by the Ministry of Culture in 2004, which by 2012 had taken inventory of more than 17,000 pieces, ranging from precious antiques and artwork to children’s toys. While it was discovered that nine cargo containers full of the royal family’s treasures had been stolen, the vast majority of their possessions remained in place.

In 2002, the European Court of Human Rights granted the former royal family an estimated 1% of the estate’s worth in compensation – a total of €12 million (£9.9m/$12.5m).

Tatoi Palace, Mount Parnitha, Greece

The beautiful palace has remained frozen in time for decades, but it may soon be getting a new lease of life. Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, has reportedly made a £12.3 million ($15.6m) investment in the property and his Prince’s Foundation will work alongside the Greek government to turn the palace into a museum.

According to British newspaper The Sun, the project is part of a joint venture between Britain and Greece, as well as a poignant tribute to Charles’ late father, Prince Phillip. In June 2024, it was reported that renovation works were progressing well, with the property said to be opening to the public sometime in 2025.

Vitzenburg Castle, Saale-Unstrut, Germany

This mysterious castle in the town of Querfurt, Germany, is located high up on an old vineyard and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, in the middle of the picturesque region of Saale-Unstrut.

A dreamy estate, the neo-Renaissance-style building was mysteriously left deserted by its owners.

Vitzenburg Castle, Saale-Unstrut, Germany

Reportedly founded more than 1,000 years ago, the castle has had many uses over the decades, including as a nunnery and a sanctuary for refugees during the Second World War.

A landmark of the region, Vitzenburg Castle now sits abandoned and empty, despite reportedly acquiring a new owner in 2004.

Vitzenburg Castle, Saale-Unstrut, Germany

The castle has many grand rooms, as well as a spacious inner courtyard, park, vineyards, horse stables and a garden pavilion. With long hallways and empty rooms, traces of decay can be found throughout the whole building.

Vitzenburg Castle, Saale-Unstrut, Germany

Once a masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture, today Vitzenburg is in a poor state of repair, with damp creeping in and wires left hanging from the ceiling.

Sadly, the castle remains closed to the public, with no plans for restoration currently on the horizon.

Mesen Castle, Lede, Belgium

Sitting partially ruined and completely abandoned is Mesen Castle in Lede, Belgium. With its Doric colonnade complete with a balustrade, pediment and large family crest, this stately home is considered one of the most important buildings designed by Italian architect, Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni.

The palace was originally owned by the aristocratic Bette family until the 18th century, but was later used as a distillery, factory and sugar refinery, before it was turned into a boarding school in 1897.

Mesen Castle, Lede, Belgium

Known locally as Kasteel van Mesen, the grand house was once the seat of the Marquess of Lede and was considered one of the most important Belgian noble houses of the time. A neo-Gothic chapel was added to the grounds during its time as a boarding school, before it eventually closed down, leaving the castle to decay.

The castle was then passed to the Belgian Ministry of Defence but it has been estimated that the restoration would be too expensive to carry out. As such, the building has been the target of looting and vandalism.

Mesen Castle, Lede, Belgium

There are several outbuildings surrounding the huge abandoned castle, including the chapel, orangery and stables.

Inside, the house has become a shell of its former self, with signs of any opulence now covered in dust and years of neglect. Here, we can see only traces of the original grandeur of this hallway, with crumbling plasterwork, broken windows and a damaged ceiling.

Mesen Castle, Lede, Belgium

These ruins are all that's left of the once-imposing house. After a battle between the government and conservationists wishing to protect the castle, the building was partly demolished in 2010, with further demolition in 2015. A year later, the right wing collapsed due to strong winds.

A small part of the main façade still stands today in a local park, pictured here, alongside the foundations of another wing. The ruins have been preserved, in hopes they will last for decades to come.

Cambusnethan House, North Lanarkshire, UK

Built in 1819 for the Lockhart of Castlehill family, Cambusnethan House in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, is one of the last remaining examples of a neo-Gothic mansion in the country.

The remains sit nestled in a grove of picturesque trees, which was once the site of a Norman tower.

Cambusnethan House, North Lanarkshire, UK

During the 1970s, the castle was used as a hotel that hosted mock medieval banquets, but in 1985 it was seriously damaged by a fire and is now registered as 'A Building at Risk' by the Scottish Civic Trust.

Once surrounded by perfectly kept gardens, it's now been taken over by nature, with foliage growing through the roofless skeleton of the building.

Cambusnethan House, North Lanarkshire, UK

Built from yellow ashlar sandstone, the grand house has certainly seen better days. Inside, it once featured decorative hearths, carved motifs and the family crest – a casket, heart and a lock – etched on every balustrade of the main staircase.

It's rumoured that the Lockharts are so named because their early ancestors carried Robert the Bruce's heart back from the Holy Land, following the Crusades.

Cambusnethan House, North Lanarkshire, UK

Now lacking a roof, the building is in a state of ruin. Few window frames have survived over the years and the building is dotted with graffiti. Part of the structure has totally collapsed, while many of the walls are unstable.

Château Miranda, Namur, Belgium

Despite its regal, Gothic looks, this stately home has a tragic past. Located in the village of Celles in Belgium, Château Miranda was designed in 1866 by English architect, Edward Milner, for the Liedekerke-Beaufort family.

Château Miranda, Namur, Belgium

In the Second World War it was taken over by Nazi forces, then used as an orphanage, followed by a holiday camp. The château was last used as a school before it was abandoned in 1991.

Château Miranda, Namur, Belgium

The structure then suffered a fire in 1995 and in 2006, a freak storm destroyed much of what was left of the roof.

A decade later, a new chapter was seemingly on the horizon. Developer Luc Lavroff had ambitious plans to dismantle the structure and rebuild it in Spain. Work began in earnest but unfortunately, this is not a story with a fairytale ending...

Château Miranda, Namur, Belgium

Tragically, Lavroff was diagnosed with cancer in February 2017 and pulled out of the deal, leaving the half-dismantled building in the hands of demolition firm, Castignetti.

Unable to find a buyer, the company made the decision to demolish the château and it was completely razed by October of the same year. These photos show the former grand residence in 2014.

Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, UK

Once considered among England's greatest 16th-century buildings, Kirby Hall was most notably owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I, in the 1580s.

The grand façade is built from white Barnack stone and its design was taken from a book of French architectural patterns – a bit like the Elizabethan version of a flat-pack home. However, this stunning stately home is struggling to survive.

Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, UK

It remained as the Hatton family seat until 1764, when it was passed onto Christopher's heirs, the Finch-Hattons, before being finally abandoned in the 1800s when the family moved into a more modern building.

All those years sitting empty took a huge toll on the once-palatial house: the lead was stripped from the roof, the oak wainscotting was taken to decorate other houses and even the stones were used to repair farmhouses and build roads.

Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, UK

Though its origins date back to between 1570-1575, the house was expanded and improved right up until it was abandoned.

As well as the great hall on the southern side of the building, the main house features a courtyard with a series of small apartments along the east and west sides. Inside, staterooms have been left intact and still contain their authentic 17th- and 18th-century interiors.

Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire, UK

Today, the house and gardens are owned and managed by English Heritage and open to the public each weekend.

Although the house has never resumed its former life as a grand stately home, it has at least found fame as a filming location in 1999 movie adaptations of Jane Austin's Mansfield Park and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Sammezzano Castle, Tuscany, Italy

With its kaleidoscopic colours, horseshoe arches and mosaics, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this castle was a Moorish palace, but Sammezzano is not quite what it seems.

In fact, this incredible property was given a Moorish Revival makeover in the 19th century by the Tuscan nobleman, Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona.

Sammezzano Castle, Tuscany, Italy

Inside, the elaborate décor is as pristine as the day it was made. The bright colours and glorious patterns continue to dazzle despite the building having stood empty since it was abandoned in the 1990s.

Although uninhabited, the house hasn't been forsaken.

Sammezzano Castle, Tuscany, Italy

Since the 1990s, the palace has been owned by the same Italo-British company, Sammezzano Castle Srl, who intended to reopen it as a five-star luxury hotel.

After several failed attempts at fundraising, a conservation group called Save Sammezzano took on the project – and not a day too soon, as the years of neglect were starting to take their toll on this precious building.

Sammezzano Castle, Tuscany, Italy

The castle has been put up for sale and auctioned a number of times and in 2017, it was reported that the Dubai Helitrope company had been declared the winner of an auction, with a successful bid of €15.4 million (£12.7m/$16m). However, according to homes magazine House Beautiful, it was back on the market in late 2018, priced at £14.7 million ($18.5m).

Little more was said about the property until online magazine, Finestre sull'Arte, announced that there was a purchase proposal for Sammezzano Castle, in August 2024. According to them, a Florentine family with interests in the hotel industry and art preservation has bought the building and plans to invest in an extensive renovation. Watch this space!

Villa de Vecchi, Cortenova, Italy

Rumoured to be haunted, this magnificent stately home is situated just east of Lake Como and was built between 1854 and 1857 as the summer residence of Count Felix De Vecchi.

However, Villa De Vecchi, also known as the Red House or Ghost Mansion, only survived a few short years before a string of tragedies led to its decline.

Villa de Vecchi, Cortenova, Italy

In its heyday, the home was fitted with all the modern conveniences of the era, including indoor heating and a large-scale pressurised fountain. The walls and ceilings were decorated with detailed frescoes, while a large fireplace took centre stage in the main parlour.

However, today it tells a more solemn story, with crumbling walls and rubbish-strewn floors.

Villa de Vecchi, Cortenova, Italy

An incredibly tragic tale hides within the villa's walls. In 1862, a string of family tragedies occurred and the Count took his own life. The house then passed to his brother, Biagio, who left the estate for good during the Second World War.

It has been permanently uninhabited since the 1960s.

Villa de Vecchi, Cortenova, Italy

While Mother Nature has taken over the home, most of the damage to the villa over the years has been done by trespassers. Graffiti covers the walls and the furniture has been stolen or vandalised.

Reinhardsbrunn Castle, Thuringia, Germany

Built in 1827 on the grounds of a monastery, the current incarnation of Reinhardsbrunn Castle was constructed by Duke Ernest I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Albert's father, and ultimately the father-in-law to Queen Victoria, the former monarch of the United Kingdom.

Influenced by the so-called 'English style', the castle was intended as a summer residence surrounded by picturesque parkland.

Reinhardsbrunn Castle, Thuringia, Germany

The house stayed in Prince Albert's family up until the end of the Second World War, after which it fell under the control of the East German state and was used as a military hospital, a government venue and a showpiece hotel.

After the reunification of Germany, the castle was recognised as a historic monument in 1992, by the State of Thuringia.

Reinhardsbrunn Castle, Thuringia, Germany

The estate was purchased by Russian investors in 2008, but they left the castle to rot even further and eventually the state was forced to take action to save Reinhardsbrunn.

This room would once have hosted high-society soirées, but with peeling wallpaper and debris littering the floor, it's no longer in its prime, though the decorative carvings are still breathtaking.

Reinhardsbrunn Castle, Thuringia, Germany

According to German broadcasting company DW, the state acquired the castle for a nominal fee of just €1 (£0.83/$1). At the time, the property was tied to a purported €9 million (£7.4m/$9.3m) mortgage lien, however, the state has since been let "off the hook" for the debt.

Currently undergoing renovation, we can only hope that this grand building will be restored to its former glory. If you fancy taking a look, you can visit the property but only the grounds as the interior is still being restored.

Gothic Revival palace, Dreżewo, Poland

Just outside the village of Dreżewo in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland, this crumbling neo-Gothic mansion is a mysterious relic of a bygone age.

The building was constructed in 1863, but this incarnation only survived until 1890, when a devastating fire broke out, substantially damaging the interior.

Gothic Revival palace, Dreżewo, Poland

Known as Pałac w Dreżewie, the abandoned stately home hides a chequered past, having changed hands many times, with each successive owner seemingly seeking to pass on the ownership as quickly as possible.

The extensive grounds even served as a stud farm for a period and there were also failed plans to build a wind farm.

Gothic Revival palace, Dreżewo, Poland

Following the fire, the estate was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style popular in the 19th century, with a dramatic turret off the right wing. Inside, high ceilings, intricate moulding and dramatically arched windows are hints at the home’s former grandeur.

While the plaster has been damaged by water and rot, that which remains suggests that many of the rooms were once grand with detailed cornices and woodwork.

Gothic Revival palace, Dreżewo, Poland

Most of the rooms on the ground floor feature sets of double doors, which indicate that the home was designed for entertaining, allowing guests to flow naturally from room to room.

According to the independent travel siteTravelFeed, in 2006, the property was purchased by Hiszpan Ricardo Crespo Fuster, a Spanish businessman who planned to build a hotel, golf course and leisure centre here. The plans didn't come to fruition, however. It's unclear who currently owns the property, but it is open to the public.

Castle Pottendorf, Lower Austria, Austria

Thanks to explorative photographer, nocamerabag.com, we can take a look around the abandoned ruins of Castle Pottendorf in Lower Austria.

The remarkable wreck lies in Pottendorf and is enclosed by a historic moat. It's thought the fortress was built during the 12th century and over the years, has been extended numerous times. It was last owned by the noble Esterhazy family.

Castle Pottendorf, Lower Austria, Austria

During the Second World War, the structure was turned into a hospital for wounded German Luftwaffe (air force), but after the war came to an end, the castle fell into a state of decay.

The property, including its surrounding park, was closed to the public until 2006, when the municipality of Pottendorf purchased it and renovated the grounds, opening them up to the public.

Castle Pottendorf, Lower Austria, Austria

These images show the castle prior to its revamp, with a missing roof, rubble littering the floors, plaster crumbling off the walls and trees growing through vacant window frames.

Castle Pottendorf, Lower Austria, Austria

More recent images online show that the castle has been cleaned up, but is still very much a ruin. Visitors can explore its grounds and take in the grand proportions of this once-beloved family estate.