Gallery: Colonial Luxury Hotel Now Colonized by Migrant Squatters

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    *The façade of the Grande Hotel in 2011. It is in such bad condition that it cannot be restored.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Some of the squatters bathe and wash their dishes in the Olympic pool at the Grande because the water is free. They are aware of the risks, but they can only afford to buy clean water for cooking and drinking.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Frames of a documentary film from the RTP (Radio Televisao Portuguesa) about the opening of the Grande Hotel in Beira in 1955. © Courtesy of the RTP archives.*
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    *Dina, 11, has lived in the Grande Hotel since 2006.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *The back of the Grande Hotel at night.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Every possible room that can be squatted, has been squatted.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *The first floor of the hotel, where there used to be a dance club.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Girls play a stone game at the main entrance.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *The hotel's main floor near the entrance.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Inside a room on the main floor.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Rui, a young boy who has lived in the Grande Hotel for about a year, exercises every day in the upper-floor terrace of the hotel.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *A former bathroom in the hotel. There has been no running water for more than a decade.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Paolo, 19, was born in the Grande Hotel and still lives there.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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    *Hygienic conditions are poor at the hotel. Spiders, rats and other animals live amongst the squatters.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
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