The fascinating story of the beach monarch in Brazil who has lived in a sandcastle for 22 years

For many people, especially those who don’t have much savings, making rent and mortgage payments is a challenge.

But that is not the case for 44-year-old beach monarch Marcio Mizael Matolias.

Known as ‘King Marcio’, Matolias has, for over 22 years, avoided the high rents in the district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by living in a sandcastle he built himself.

Often seen with his own throne and sceptre, King Marcio lives in his unusual home on Barra da Tijuca beach, where reports say he spends his days entertaining tourists, reading, fishing and playing seaside golf.

“I grew up in the Bay of Guanabara, I always lived on the beach. I have become a sort of tourist attraction.

“People pay exorbitant rents to live in front of the sea, I do not have bills and here I have a good life,” Matolias said.

His castle is just 32 square feet, but that small space is not a problem for Matolias who cooks his meals outside his living space on a stove and showers at the fire station across the street for a dollar, reports The Sun.

He, however, has to regularly water his home to keep it from collapsing. There have been times that a single tropical storm has destroyed the entire castle in just minutes, compelling him to rebuild it all over again.

The speed at which he is able to do this has attracted him to owners of a local shopping mall who hire him to build decorative sand pieces for their displays.

Being a lover of books, his 32 square foot bedroom is full of books and is supported by wooden beams.

Apart from earning some money from tourists who visit his sandcastle, Matolias also gains income from the sale of his books.

“I’m happy! As everyone says and as you can also read in some books, happiness is a spiritual state,” Matolias said.

“I try to be happy always, even if I have moments of sadness.”

Matolias, who is single and childless, first learned how to build sandcastles when a friend gave him a book on Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, reports The Sun.

At the moment, he only has one major obstacle in his unusual place of abode.

“The sand holds all the heat, so sometimes at night I can not sleep here, I’ll spend the night at a friend’s house, but I prefer it here even if I have to lie outside by the sea,” he said.