A photographer has shared shocking pictures taken inside an abandoned hotel – which was once a thriving hotspot frequented by celebrities and royalty.
Photographer Roman Robroek, 34, from the Netherlands, explored Al Kassouf, an iconic, grand hotel, located in Shweir, Lebanon.
The structure dates back to the 1930s but was severely damaged in the Civil War.
The hotel was a high-profile place that hosted many international patrons, celebrities, royals, and even presidents, and was also known as the first place to hold the country’s first-ever beauty pageant.
It continued to prosper and became a very sought-after destination until everything abruptly stopped when the war broke out and took a toll on Al Kassouf, which is located in a mountainous region.
Damage from ammunition and explosives is visible, with rainfall also severely affecting the building, creeping inside and causing progressive infiltration and water damage as well as overgrown weeds.
However, some of the beautifully decorated floor tiles are still in decent shape and offer a glimpse of just how beautiful and pristine the lobby in the front was, which can be seen in Roman’s photos.
In one photo, you can see the front of the building, with numerous long, beautiful windows and a rusty balcony over the top of the front door.
Photos taken inside of the building show walls which have been blown through, decaying hallways covered in bricks and rotting walls.
Another photo shows the empty, once-grand hallway with exposed pipes.
In another image, the beautiful view can still be admired from a balcony.
Roman also grabbed a shot of the stunning floor in one of the event rooms, with the tiles left untouched.
Roman said: “What makes the view special is the surrounding nature, defined by beautiful mountain landscapes, pine trees, and lush vegetation.
“Today, many activists and organisations are trying to recover some of the buildings damaged in the war.
“Many consider places like Al Kassouf to be victims of cultural terrorism, as well as government neglect.
“While it is quite difficult to prompt action, it is still great to see groups trying to raise awareness on this issue.
“This could be a step forward in bringing attention to what is left of the important cultural and historical heritage of Lebanon so that it might be re-assessed and hopefully preserved for future generations.”
Roman began exploring abandoned buildings over a decade ago to fuel his interest in architecture, history and photography.
He has travelled across the world and has discovered the history behind buildings forgotten in time while understanding how these structures play a vital role in the culture of these places today.
