The site was explored by the Ministry of Culture in 2004, who by 2012 had taken inventory of more than 17,000 pieces ranging from precious antiques and artwork to children’s toys. While it was discovered that nine cargo containers full of the royal family’s treasures had been stolen, the vast majority of their possessions remain in place.

In 2002, the European Court of Human Rights granted the former royal family an estimated 1% of the estate’s worth in compensation – a total of €12 million (£10.3m/$13.1m).

The abandoned palaces of Europe will take your breath away