if walls could talk // historic hotels

FOUR SEASONS SULTANAHMET // ISTANBUL  

Although this brightly colored hotel looks as if it had a happy history, it was previously a Turkish prison. The lovely, landscaped courtyard was formerly the exercise yard and the elevators a re house in the old watchtowers. The hotel retains hints of its past, including an inmate’s inscription on a marble pillar. 

Hotel 500 // Campi bisenzio, Florence

Originally built in the years 1500 as the hospital’s (Degli Innocenti) orphanage, this hotel later became an elegant Villa. But, it was completely abandoned after the Second World War.

21C // LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

The 21c has gained fame due to it's double nature as a hotel and a contemporary museum. Although it houses some of today's most cutting-edge work, it's roots run deep in KY history as it was once a tobacco and bourbon warehouse. 

PARADOR SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA // SANTIAGO

Located by the Catedral de Santiago, the Parador was originally built as a hostel and hospital for pilgrims by the Catholic Monarchs in 1499. Today pilgrims still use the hotel as a base station.

-mr.&mrs.h