Aug 17, 2012 6:31 AM

Gallery: Colonial Luxury Hotel Now Colonized by Migrant Squatters

© Héctor Mediavilla
01
rawfile13
*The façade of the Grande Hotel in 2011. It is in such bad condition that it cannot be restored.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
© Héctor Mediavilla
02
rawfile14
*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*

© Héctor Mediavilla
03
rawfile01
*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.*
© Héctor Mediavilla
04
rawfile03
*Dina, 11, has lived in the Grande Hotel since 2006.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*

05
rawfile21
*The back of the Grande Hotel at night.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
© Héctor Mediavilla
06
rawfile10
*Every possible room that can be squatted, has been squatted.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*

© Héctor Mediavilla
07
rawfile09
*The first floor of the hotel, where there used to be a dance club.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
© Héctor Mediavilla
08
rawfile17
*Girls play a stone game at the main entrance.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*

© Héctor Mediavilla
11
rawfile08
*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*
© Héctor Mediavilla
12
rawfile15
*A former bathroom in the hotel. There has been no running water for more than a decade.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*

© Héctor Mediavilla
13
rawfile11
*Paolo, 19, was born in the Grande Hotel and still lives there.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*
© Héctor Mediavilla
14
rawfile16
*Hygienic conditions are poor at the hotel. Spiders, rats and other animals live amongst the squatters.* *Photo: Héctor Mediavilla*

Top Home Depot Promo Codes: 30% Off in October 2026

Save up to 50% today with the latest Home Depot promo codes for appliances, power tools, and more this October.

Matthew Korfhage

Top eBay Coupons in October 2026

Save up to 60% on a selection of items at eBay, including electronics, home products, card games, car parts and more.

Molly Higgins

Top Canon Promo Codes: 30% Off for October 2026

Save an extra 10% or 30% with Canon coupon codes, plus up to $1,600 on cameras, printers, and more this October 2026.

Gear Team

Top Disney Plus Discounts and Promos for October 2026

Cut your subscription costs with the latest active Disney+ bundle deals, verified student offers, and partner promotions.

Molly Higgins

Altra Running Promo Codes and Deals October 2026

Score big savings on Altra Running shoes with up to 50% off sale styles, 20% off select models, 10% off your first order when you sign up, plus free standard delivery on every purchase.

Boutayna Chokrane

LG Promo Codes and Coupons for October 2026

Save 20% with an LG promo code today, plus up to $1,000 off appliances, 40% off bestselling TVs and monitors.

Harry Rabinowitz

Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ Becomes ‘Assisted Driving’ in Europe

The automaker has been criticized for misleading drivers with the feature’s name. Now it’s renaming it for European regulators.

Aarian Marshall

Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting

Workers at three major publishing houses tell WIRED that LLMs are being used for publicity, cover art, back cover copy, and emails, as some execs push junior staff to champion the tech.

Adam Morgan

NASA Just Made Nearly 1 TB of Artemis II Data Available to the Public

The data drop includes photographs, audio, video, and astronauts’ notes that will be used to study the moon and prepare for future human missions.

Jorge Garay

The DOJ Is Weighing Perjury Charges Against Cassidy Hutchinson

The Justice Department is considering a perjury and obstruction-of-justice case against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide who testified against Donald Trump to the January 6 committee.

Hugo Lowell