Somewhere in Italy on a mountain overlooking 1 of the famous lakes lies a villa abandoned since 1950 with a fantastic staircase. Much of the villa has already collapsed, and this part will not last long either. This location had long been on my list to photograph, after a dangerous walk along a busy road and stroll through a dense garden of spiny plants, we saw the villa at the end of the garden. After entering the front door, you immediately emerge into the stairwell, everything smells musty and drops of water fall down. Remnants of curtains hang in the window frame and everything creaks in the wind. What a beautiful villa this must have been, if you look at the picture you can see in your mind's eye how people must have walked here back then. Now I walk here alone and the villa has been abandoned for many years.
My name is John Noppen. During my tour through different countries I take unique photographs of beautiful deserted places and buildings, capturing the decay and atmosphere is my ultimate goal. The possibility to take a look behind closed doors and the excitement that this branch of photography brings with.. Read more…