THIS eerie hotel in a scenic Brit holiday hotspot was used as a filming set for a smash HBO show and is now owned by a Russian billionaire.
The Hotel Belvedere in Dubrovnik, Croatia, has a history as interesting as the storylines seen on Game of Thrones.
The property has been abandoned for thirty yearsAlamy
AlamyIt looks out on the gorgeous Adriatic Sea[/caption]
HBOThe location was used in filming an iconic Game of Thrones battle[/caption]
First built in 1985, the astounding 18-storey building boasted over 200 rooms, a helicopter pad and a private boat dock on the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
But when the Balkans conflict kicked off in the 1990s, the Serbian Army dramatically bombed the port city to try to push out Croatian soldiers.
The hotel even housed refuges between 1991 and 1995.
Despite the decay, the formerly breathtaking hotel has been used for a very different purpose since the violent siege.
Outdoor explorers have explored the ruins of the five-star hotel, and shared photos in the rubble.
The most defining feature of the hotel is the massive spiral staircase in the middle of the building.
And the stunning outdoor amphitheatre was used as a location for season four of Game of Thrones.
Characters Oberyn and the Mountain duelled in front of a crowd at the Belvedere, making it a popular destination for fans to trek to.
[ADD COUPLE MORE PARS ON THE FILMING LOCATION & GOT]
Meanwhile, The Belvedere has another enticing attraction – groups of stray Croatian kitties have made the old building their home.
One explorer remarked: “The only life that can be found today on Hotel Belvedere’s grounds are the local street cats, lounging in the sun and wallowing in their eternal desire for a passer-by to offer them a snack, a far cry from the past.
“Today you can still see the ruins of the hotel, abandoned and unloved except by the furry felines who frequent its corridors.”
Shortly after the Game of Thrones cast filmed on location, the legendary hotel was purchased at auction by Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg.
He purchased the Belvedere in 2014 for £10million – but has yet to make any changes to the property.
The property purchase is a far cry from the billionaire’s usual taste which includes 15 Fabergé eggs – the most owned by one single person in the world.
On the opposite side of Dubrovnik, other abandoned hotels provide a sinister background for sunbathing holidaymakers.
But as well as being gawped at by tourists, the ruins have been used for filming of the upcoming biopic Lee, about renowned World War 2 Vogue journalist Lee Miller.
According to local reports, it was one of several locations in Croatia Kate Winslet and Jude Law shot scenes last September.
With the Grand Hotel as its crowning jewel, the site features several other hotels – Pelegrin, Goricine I, Goricine II, Kupari and Galeb – able to accommodate thousands of guests.
It remains unclear what the future of these derelict hotels will be, but many are rumoured to be set for destruction to pave way for new hotels.
AlamyPedro Pascal was involved in the scene[/caption]
AlamyLena Headey played Cersei Lannister[/caption]
AlamyThe pristine location has been unused since the early 1990s[/caption]
AlamyThe five star hotel was a paradise escape[/caption]
AlamyNow it’s fallen into disrepair[/caption]