PLA – Association of Italian Abandoned Places
A collective of photographers and historians documenting Italy’s forgotten buildings, factories, hospitals and towns through exhibitions, publications and archival projects.
At a glance
PLA is an association founded to systematically record and study abandoned structures across Italy. Members investigate disused and unfinished buildings—from industrial factories to shopping centers to entire settlements—capturing both their physical decay and the narratives embedded in their ruin.
History
PLA emerged as a group of friends, photographers and enthusiasts united by a shared interest in documenting sites of abandonment. What began as an informal collective evolved into a formal association with a mission to preserve visual and historical records of Italy’s neglected spaces before they disappear entirely.
What you see
The association’s work focuses on architectural and industrial remains: train stations frozen in time, hospitals left incomplete, factories silenced by economic change, residential complexes emptied of inhabitants. Members document both finished structures abandoned mid-use and unfinished projects that never reached completion—a phenomenon particularly common in Italy.
Cultural significance
PLA reframes abandonment as worthy of serious study and artistic attention. By examining the spaces society leaves behind, the association explores questions of urban history, economic transformation and collective memory. Their work reveals how buildings function as records of economic cycles, demographic shifts and changing aspirations.
Key facts
- Address: Via Flaminia 330, 61122 Pesaro (Marche)
- Coordinates: 43.8944937, 12.9223804
- Website: https://plaiofficial.wordpress.com
Practical information
PLA organizes photographic exhibitions, publishes research in print and multimedia formats, and creates catalogs documenting abandoned sites. The association also supports social and cultural projects beyond documentation work. Check the official website for details on current exhibitions and publications.
Getting there
The association is based in Pesaro, a coastal city in the Marche region of northeastern Italy. For information on accessing exhibitions or participating in projects, contact PLA through their official website.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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