Abandoned Church in Decay.

Church buildings have been a mainstay throughout Europe for centuries and one of my favorite things to photograph. From quaint rural chapels to luxurious and majestic cathedrals, the "Old World" is home or was home to hundreds of churches. Some of them are kept in impeccable condition and are highly regarded as national treasures, while others have a very different ending, being left to the hands of time and its relentless way of letting things rot. Italy is a perfect example of a country that, while greatly valuing its history, architecture, culture and connection to the church as an institution, still has a large number of abandoned churches.

Today, abandoned churches in Italy and elsewhere offer a unique glimpse into the past. A source of reflection perhaps, as they encourage us to think about the future. If a church, once the main haven in the community, can become a mess, what does that say about what we know for sure today? These are the traces of the past of many communities, and if we follow them, we can see where we all came from and perhaps where we are going.

This artwork is offered by Roman Robroek - Photos of Abandoned Buildings

Roman Robroek is a photographer who captures forgotten places around the world. In particular, he is focused on creating stunning pho-tos of abandoned locations, rich with wonder, mystery and unanswered questions.

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