6. Bamboo Residence
Where: Congo
Time period: 1970s
Price: $100 million
The previous ruler of Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mobutu Sese Seko, constructed a posh palace complex that includes three homes, one of which is the Bamboo Palace. To fulfill the owner’s appreciation of art, the castle was filled with paintings by famous artists including Claude Monet. In order to meet the president’s and his wife’s every need, it also housed nearly 700 employees.
The Times, (UK) / Bamboo Palace
In 1997, Mobutu finally made his way to Morocco, where he spent his last days. Nature took over the castle after his family left, and ever since, it has remained a haunting reminder of the opulent lifestyle that it once represented. All the jewels were stolen by looters, and now it is only in ruins.
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