A look inside Saddam Hussein's abandoned, once luxurious yacht

On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein got his deadly punishment for crimes against humanity. Since then, a lot of time has passed, but his material legacy remains valid. For example, we still have the 'al-Mansur', Hussein's luxurious yacht. It is in absolute decay.

The man who led Iraq from 1979 to 2003 owned this imposing 121-meter (69 ft) boat. Nowadays, it is abandoned and in a state of rust and rot.

Curiously, the president never used this imposing yacht. He gave the order for the vehicle to remain anchored in the same place where it has languished ever since.

Despite its status, or maybe because of it, 'al-Mansur' is one of the most sought-after tourist spots in the region of Basra, the third largest city in Iraq.

Thousands of people come each month to see for themselves this great symbol of the wealth and power of Saddam Hussein.

Curious tourists approach the yacht by boat and take photos of the symbol of power that now has fallen into disgrace.

As a local fisherman confirmed to CNN, when the former president owned it, it was impossible to get close to the luxurious yacht. Now, to the contrary, it is an undeniable point of interest and an element of tremendous morbidity.

After the death of Saddam Hussein, people considered restoring and preserving it, but the authorities chose to keep it as it was. They preferred to let time deteriorate its appearance.

After the attack by the United States, under the orders of George W. Bush, the ship was attacked. Over time, it was completely looted, from its furniture to part of its metal structure.

The yacht was one of three that Saddam Hussein used to own. It had space for 200 guests and had its own helipad.

Curiously, another of Saddam Hussein's yachts (he had three) has been converted into a hotel in Basra for the workers of the port. This ship, too, interests tourists.

The current situation of the yachts is a good metaphor for the legacy of Saddam Hussein. Once, he was one of the most powerful men in the world, and now, he's a memory that, little by little, is drifting away.

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