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With intricate ceilings that are These spectacular shots depict some of Europe's most beautiful ruins the stunning works of a history teacher who spends her spare time tracking down and photographing some of Europe's most beautiful ruins.

Pati Makowska captures the beauty of what were once some of the continent's most vibrant locations.

The now-dilapidated buildings still feature hints of their heyday - from intricately painted ceilings, to renaissance architecture and grand halls.

Golden age: The spectacular circular building is pictured in the early morning light, causing a glow to stream through the broken windows and illuminate the interior

High art: The once-vibrant paintings on this domed ceiling have now faded and become lined with cracks, but that hasn't detracted from their beauty

On hard times: This spectacular spiral staircase has seen better days, but the cast iron balustrades retain their elaborate design despite their neglect

Pati, from Warsaw in Poland, first became interested in photographing ruins 12 years ago, when she decided to shoot the remains of a medieval castle in Muszyna, Poland.

She then went on photograph similarly stunning buildings, but never discloses where the images were taken.

Judging by the architecture and hints she has dropped, the majority - if not all - of her pictures come from Poland.

Religious experience: This abandoned building still retains its spectacular artworks, captured by photographer Pati Makowska, who never reveals where she has taken the shots

Eerie: Some of the photos have an air of sadness and even malice with abandoned toys and staircases to nowhere featuring heavily

Horror house: This abandoned wooden building looks like a haunted house as it sits alone in the snow-covered landscape

Hints: Judging by the architecture and Pati's comments, the majority - if not all - of her pictures come from Poland

The photographer said that tracking down such wonders takes a lot of time, as she has to study man old maps and ask those with local knowledge.

Pati plans to continue taking pictures of ruins, but also hopes to expand her photography into natural wonders.

She said: 'I first photographed ruins a medieval castle in Muszyna in Poland a few years ago.

'Later, while living in the UK and Iceland, I found other magic and forgotten places. The memory of the power of magic and climate remained my inspiration to be found in places like Poland.

Illuminated: Pati appears to have an affinity with this particular building, photographing it in several different lights

Guessing game: The photos contain object which hint at the buildings' past use, but nobody knows exactly where they are and what they were used for

Change: This industrial-style building is a break away from Pati's more romantic pictures of elaborate old buildings

Special skill: Pati has a lot of patience, researching thoroughly before heading out to find the buildings she wants to photograph, so it loathe to share her information

Mellow yellow: Pati uses maps, historical books and old guides to find the now-forgotten buildings

'Locating these ruins is hard work: there's maps, historical books, old guides.

'There is often a lot of analysis of places and talk to people who live in the area of these buildings.

'The most important inspiration for me to take pictures of abandoned places is a need for identities, metaphors of life.

'We forget that everything passes; our youth is fleeting, like these places that were once beautiful

'Places like these tell forgotten stories: love, disaster, war, as well as ordinary life.'