Abandoned Hospital / Holiday Resort

>
> "*Moss through the green grotesque tools of the past, vivid overhead lights dazing the explorer into a horrific cavity extraction. Narrow dull hallways creave with endless machinery, needles behind the signal window bobbing to life. The signature courtyard holds an ancient tree, the iconic relic soon to be withered to a thousand splinters. Transfer to the famous holiday resort where families rehab in peace and tranquility. Accidental injuries spell many little ones to a certain untouched clinic, once frolicked with first aid has rundown to a derelict time capsule. Only the fate of these two iconic locations forge strong bonds through every urban explorer.*"
> — Narration by Marco Seidlitz, Draconic URBEX episode 9
>

The **Abandoned Hospital / Holiday Resort** lit. **Volterra Asylum / Colonia Fara** are two distinctive locations historically abandoned and forgotten from thier true natured state. Both Marco and Zera hunch up to the two derelict destinations, esasive to rummage through dark hearted tools of the splintering past and shallow over white walls gleaming in rainbow lights.

**Song played during Exploration:**

* Kim Aspen "Shallow Waters"

## History

### *Volterra Asylum*

The now-derelict hospital was founded in 1888 with the establishment of a ward for the demented in the poorhouse of the former convent of San Girolamo. In 1902, the ward was named Frenocomio (meaning *psychiatric hospital*) S. Girolamo, and in the following decades, under the direction of Dr. Luigi Scabia, after whom one of the buildings was named, the institution underwent significant development, expanding gradually with the creation of shops, services, an agricultural company, and a judicial section. Scabia’s plan was to build an independent village in which patients could feel free, but also to put into effect a plan of work tailored to each patient in order to direct their reinsertion into society after hospitalization—in 1933, shortly before his death, Scabia even established a currency for the inmates’ use.

### *Colona Ferra*

The Colonia Fara (Colony Fara) is located on 13 Via Preli, in the town of Chiavari, in the district of Tigullio, in the province of Genoa, Italy. In 1935, the Colonia Fara was commissioned by the National Fascist Party as a seaside summer resort / camp for kids. Completed in 1936, the official inauguration wasn’t held until 1938 in the presence of Benito Mussolini. For 2 years the summer camp thrived but in 1940 due to World War II the fact that the building had the capacity to hold 400 people, it was used as a military hospital and temporary stationing of German forces.

After the war ended in 1945 it was used as a summer camp / resort again. In 1947 through 50 1955 its purpose changed and it housed refugees from Istria.

During the early 1960’s it was converted into an ‘international hotel of the Italian youth’ using the name Faro, which means lighthouse. After this it was abandoned until the 1980’s when it became the headquarters of the local Pro Sports Association Rocks and an elementary school, which later moved in 1999. They moved locations because of safety reasons, the building was progressively getting worse. In fact it was impossible to go up any further than half way, the upper floors being almost completely unsafe. Gulls nests have even been spotted on the roof.

In September of 2013, someone within the complex started a fire that destroyed some old boxes, but nothing of any major consequence. Which was good news for the 20 or so Romanian citizens who have been illegally living in the Colonia Fara for a long time.

As of October 2013, the building has been sold and bought by Fara Ltd. for € 6,750,000. The future project includes 18 luxury apartments on the upper floors and a shopping center and restaurant and possible hotel on the grounds floors.

## Gallery

* https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ospedale-psichiatrico-di-volterra
* https://abandonedplaygrounds.com/2018/12/09/colonia-fara-the-abandoned-seaside-resort-for-children-in-italy/