Steampunk Greenhouse, Italy

A Steampunk Greenhouse lays nestled in an Italian country park, obscured from casual glances by dense vegetation. This greenhouse was built in the late 19th Century as an addition to the nearby villa, which now also lies in ruins. Both have been abandoned for decades, succumbing to the ravages of time.

Dense overgrowth shrouds the greenhouse, the wrought ironwork rusted brown as years pass. Once this aging frame would have held multi-coloured glass, which produced fascinating patterns and effects as the sun traced its daily route across the sky. Only small broken trace remains today, as time and vandals have taken their toll.

Vines twist and contort as they climb up the iron work. Larger varieties of vines criss-cross the floor, and lay in rope-like coils near the entrance.

Overgrown greenhouses are always a favourite of mine, and this one certainly charmed. We enjoyed a break from the Italian summer sun in the cool shade of this greenhouse, which is slowly being swallowed by nature.