
Work began on this hotel 61 years ago, but to this day it's never had a guest.

Italy's Grande Hotel San Calogero in Sicily now lies in a state of disrepair. Since work began in 1954 there have been many 'grand openings' planned that turned into false dawns.

The site for the hotel is perfect for observing all the beauty of the Italian island. Situated close to the thermal baths it was supposed to be the perfect spot of relaxation for tourists.

Italy's Grande Hotel San Calogero in Sicily now lies in a state of disrepair, the very definition of a white elephant

The kitchen needs a lot of work! A spate of false dawns have seen the Sicilian hotel remain guest-less

These fixtures in one of the rooms bathrooms have never been used, but you still wouldn't feel comfortable here

Shattered glass and doors make the inside of the hotel look more like a warzone

Instead it has become Italy's very own white elephant, complete with 300 rooms that have never been slept in.

The hotel is located on top of a rocky outcrop on Monte Kronio, Sciacca, southern Sicily, and within walking distance of the Basilica of San Calogero.

After nearly 30 years of building work, the hotel was originally set to open in the early 1980s. However, authorities made a grave error in not finalising who would run the hotel. And so it fell into a state of disrepair.

So the Sicilian government decided on an upgrade, and finally it was set for a grand opening in 1993.

Despite the hotel having stunning views from its hilltop location, it remains uninhabited to this day

The inside of the Grande Hotel San Calogero is as eerie as it is disappointing that it never fulfilled its potential

After nearly 30 years of building work, the hotel was originally set to open in the early 1980s. However, authorities made a grave error in not finalising who would run the hotel

This could be the reception, or perhaps the early stages of building a bar

Situated close to the thermal baths it was supposed to be the perfect spot of relaxation for tourists

But there was yet another hitch.

Incredibly despite years of building works and subsequent redevelopment, the hotel was not properly connected to a drainage system.

Unfortunately the contract on who ran the hotel from 1993 had already been signed and sealed. This led to the authorities paying out €800,000 in 2010 after a 17 year tug-of-war to the company who had agreed, yet never had chance to, manage the hotel - La Montagnola.

Incredibly despite years of building works and subsequent redevelopment, the hotel was not properly connected to a drainage system

The hotel is located on top of a rocky outcrop on Monte Kronio, Sciacca, southern Sicily

Since work began in 1954 there have been many 'grand openings' planned that turned into false dawns

Sicilian authorities paid out €800,000 in 2010 after a 17 year tug-of-war to the company who had agreed, yet never had chance to, manage the hotel, La Montagnola

The hotel has become Italy's very own white elephant, complete with 300 rooms that have never been slept in

A different company had agreed to take on the hotel in 2000 when authorities drew up plans to finally get the site connected to a proper drainage system. But the work never even started.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports that Sciacca council had 'forgotten' to ask for the funds needed to redevelop the hotel's drains and plans were shelved once again.

So today, despite sitting in such an imposing position on the beautiful island of Sicily, the hotel remains as a testament to mismanagement and wasted money.

If someone is willing to take on the project, the hotel could one day finally realise its full potential

A severe lack of communication between building companies, the council, and senior business figures have killed this dream

A different company had agreed to take on the hotel in 2000 when authorities drew up plans to finally get the site connected to a proper drainage system. But befitting of the years of toil, the work never even started.

Building materials left behind in the hotel show how, like the project itself, work has remained 'ongoing' for some 61 years