Fireplace

This fireplace was the only one that remained fully in tact before restoration. Most of the fireplaces were reconstructed, but this one is original. It was common for pieces, especially pieces of stone or wood to get lifted from abandoned sites, and incorporated into other building sites. Twenty or thirty years ago this kind of material had no value; people would just take it. But above this fireplace, a large beam hung down from part of the roof and the other part of the roof was missing. If someone were to take the large piece of stone to the right of the fireplace, the beam would have crashed down on them. The base of the fireplace was extended for the latest renovation. Amazingly, although people would take building materials, they would often leave antique furniture that would still last for many years, and in their homes buy new, cheap furniture from retailers like IKEA that are essentially disposable furniture.