Some recent photographs which were taken by a youth worker who is from Australia has just unveiled some very extravagant yet abandoned structures which used to belong to only the most wealthy and powerful families in Europe.

The  photographer, Stefan Bauman who is 34 years old, had taken several trips to lots of places which include France and Italy and in his own words, we was inspired to 'give an insight into what would have been noble and powerful lives'.

'I always keep the location top-secret as I want these places to be protected from vandals, thieves or other people that might harm these places,' he said. 'You can see the fallen insignia of power and wealth and long gone glory days as well as great artistic work, created by the best architects and artists of that time.

'Europe has a long tradition in architecture and the grandmasters of all have created some of the most beautiful homes during the past centuries. 'I started to research such places all over Europe and I was stunned by the huge amount of abandoned luxury. The more countries I visited, the humbler I became in face of the wasted architectural beauties.

'Sometimes entering these places can be risky, most of the time the building structure is badly damaged. In a few cases the places are protected against trespassers by physical barriers or even electronically devices but if there is a way in without breaking or modify anything, I will give it a try.'

Like something out of a gothic ghost story, this abandoned chateau in France strikes a gloomy scene with glassless windows and battered shutters surrounded by wintry trees

Like something out of a gothic ghost story, this abandoned chateau in France strikes a gloomy scene with glassless windows and battered shutters surrounded by wintry trees

It's been a while since a tune was played on this dusty piano. Dried red roses and an abandoned hat only add to the mystery

It's been a while since a tune was played on this dusty piano. Dried red roses and an abandoned hat only add to the mystery

The master bedroom in an abandoned Castello in Italy has photographs of the owner's grandchildren hanging on the wall

The master bedroom in an abandoned Castello in Italy has photographs of the owner's grandchildren hanging on the wall

A huge abandoned villa in Italy was once the home of the owner of many vineyards in the region. It was last used as a home for children - their shouting cries and cheerful chatter are a far cry from this empty scene

A huge abandoned villa in Italy was once the home of the owner of many vineyards in the region. It was last used as a home for children – their shouting cries and cheerful chatter are a far cry from this empty scene

This room that is in near collapse in an abandoned Chateau in France wouldn't look out of place in a horror film. Why were these the only two chairs left behind? Only the house knows its secrets

This room that is in near collapse in an abandoned Chateau in France wouldn't look out of place in a horror film. Why were these the only two chairs left behind? Only the house knows its secrets

A huge closet in an abandoned Chateau in France. Bet this makes your wardrobe space seem a bit small...

A huge closet in an abandoned Chateau in France. Bet this makes your wardrobe space seem a bit small…

This beautiful staircase is part of an abandoned villa in Germany that was last used as a home for elderly people

This beautiful staircase is part of an abandoned villa in Germany that was last used as a home for elderly people

This is the main hall in the villa of a former industrial boss in Italy. After a big fire the property was vacated leaving nothing but the bare bones of the house and this once magnificent chandelier

This is the main hall in the villa of a former industrial boss in Italy. After a big fire the property was vacated leaving nothing but the bare bones of the house and this once magnificent chandelier

One of the several grand rooms of an unoccupied villa in Italy. It's been turned over to the hands of nature now as foliage creeps in through the window, shedding its leaves on the tiled floor

One of the several grand rooms of an unoccupied villa in Italy. It's been turned over to the hands of nature now as foliage creeps in through the window, shedding its leaves on the tiled floor

After several earthquakes this villa was badly damaged and abandoned many years ago. The beautiful artwork on the walls becomes secondary to the enormous hole in the floor

After several earthquakes this villa was badly damaged and abandoned many years ago. The beautiful artwork on the walls becomes secondary to the enormous hole in the floor

This chateau in France has been abandoned for more than 10 years. The family was unable to afford the costs of renovating and fixing the the residence, although this room carries a lot of promise with its impressive fireplace and huge windows that let the light flood in

This chateau in France has been abandoned for more than 10 years. The family was unable to afford the costs of renovating and fixing the the residence, although this room carries a lot of promise with its impressive fireplace and huge windows that let the light flood in

The main staircase in an abandoned castello in Italy. The dirt may lie thick on the steps but the majestic ceiling at the top still gleams with its numerous brightly coloured shields

The main staircase in an abandoned castello in Italy. The dirt may lie thick on the steps but the majestic ceiling at the top still gleams with its numerous brightly coloured shields

One of the master bedrooms in an abandoned chateau in France. With the hat and book so positioned it almost seems as though the occupants fled in a hurry - although with a bed like that why would you?

One of the master bedrooms in an abandoned chateau in France. With the hat and book so positioned it almost seems as though the occupants fled in a hurry – although with a bed like that why would you?

The light shining on this incredibly ornate wooden throne in an abandoned chateau in France adds a magical element to the room

The light shining on this incredibly ornate wooden throne in an abandoned chateau in France adds a magical element to the room

This abandoned home in Belgium, unoccupied for several centuries, was last used as an administration building

This abandoned home in Belgium, unoccupied for several centuries, was last used as an administration building

Once home to a German-Italian royal family, this former castello in Italy was abandoned after an earthquake ruined the basic structure of the building. Since then, even the owner is not allowed to go inside the home

Once home to a German-Italian royal family, this former castello in Italy was abandoned after an earthquake ruined the basic structure of the building. Since then, even the owner is not allowed to go inside the home

One of the main bathrooms in an abandoned chateau - a lick of pain could help restore it to its former glory

One of the main bathrooms in an abandoned chateau – a lick of pain could help restore it to its former glory

The main hall in an abandoned castello in Italy. The home was left empty after a marriage arranged between the owner's son and the daughter of a wealthy couple resulted in tragedy when the bride-to-be shot herself the night before the wedding

The main hall in an abandoned castello in Italy. The home was left empty after a marriage arranged between the owner's son and the daughter of a wealthy couple resulted in tragedy when the bride-to-be shot herself the night before the wedding

The main entrance hall in an chateau which was abandoned almost 20 years ago by the former owner of a local factory. The owner had to move out of his grand home after his business failed

The main entrance hall in an chateau which was abandoned almost 20 years ago by the former owner of a local factory. The owner had to move out of his grand home after his business failed

A room with a beautiful oriel window. The villa was formerly owned by an industrial boss. The floor seems to have fared particularly badly while the red marble columns still stand tall

A room with a beautiful oriel window. The villa was formerly owned by an industrial boss. The floor seems to have fared particularly badly while the red marble columns still stand tall

This chateau in France, once occupied by a very rich and powerful family, is now abandoned because of financial problems

This chateau in France, once occupied by a very rich and powerful family, is now abandoned because of financial problems

Only the stone made structures are left of this once beautiful chateau after it was gutted by fireĀ 

Only the stone made structures are left of this once beautiful chateau after it was gutted by fire

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