Pinova Vila in Zrenjanin, Serbia

Pinova Vila

Pinova Vila was once a palace and one of the most beautiful buildings in Zrenjanin.

The building was constructed in 1894 by Leon Štegervald. However, it was later purchased by surveyor Paja Pin, hence the building’s namesake Pinova Vila (Pin’s Palace). Various elements of Romantic period architecture is still visible from the outside, although the palace now sits in ruins and on the verge of collapsing. This has earned the building the moniker “the museum of destruction.”

Pinova Vila eventually became a symbol of the lack of interest by Serbian authorities to preserve some of the country’s historic ruins. In 2005, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Zrenjanin created a plan to renovate Pinova Villa, however, 15 years later, Pinova Vila remains dilapidated and in a state of ruins.