No vacancies: life in Mozambique's abandoned Grande Hotel – in pictures
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When it opened in 1955, the Grande Hotel in the Indian Ocean city of Beira was one of the most luxurious in Africa. Photojournalist Fellipe Abreu documents the lives of the 3,500 people who now fill this long-closed hotel to capacity
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When it opened in 1955, the Grande Hotel was one of the most luxurious in Africa
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It had a great stairway, hall, shops, restaurants, post office, cinema, bar and 122 rooms
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The Olympic-sized swimming pools are now being used to do washing
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Although Beira is a popular resort on the Indian Ocean, the hotel was never able to attract many visitors
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The hotel closed to guests in 1963 and was only used for large events and parties. During the civil war that began in late 1970, it served as a military base and held political prisoners
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After the hotel was completely abandoned in the 1970s, it was looted and people moved into the building, especially those who fled the conflict
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The only part of the hotel that has electricity is the side section where residents have set up a small, makeshift ‘cinema’ – often filled with children and adults watching TV
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For the first time, the hotel reached its maximum capacity
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Because there is no maintenance, there are problems with the hotel infrastructure, while plants and trees to try retake the building
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Some families have stayed at the hotel for three generations
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Families live in every section of the dark, humid hotel, including the stairs
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Twenty-four years after the end of civil war, more than half of Mozambique’s population continues to live below the poverty line
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People who stay at the Grande Hotel do not pay rent, but the community has set up its own rules and is not allowing new residents as they say the building is full
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They also organise some sports. Almost every day, people meet each other in the external area to play football
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