Lost village - Doel, Belgium

It is quite rare for an entire village to disappear, but this is unfortunately what is happening to Doel, close to Antwerp Belgium. 

DOEL, lost village, AUG 2012

The village which dates back to 1267, is nestled on the left bank of the river Scheldt next to one of the main nuclear power plants in Belgium. Somewhere in the 1970's it was decided that the expansion of the Antwerp harbour, would eventually make Doel disappear. 

DOEL, lost village, AUG 2012

It was only at the end of the 90's that the first people started moving out. The population has now gone down from well over 2000 to probably less than 20. 

DOEL, lost village, AUG 2012

In 2008 the government announced that they would start breaking down the houses, but after 4 years almost all of them are still standing, including a 17th century windmill on the dyke of the river. 

DOEL, lost village, AUG 2012

The place has become a mecca for graffiti artists and Urban Exploration (Urbex) photographers. 

DOEL, lost village, AUG 2012

More of the images made at Doel can be found here.

Remember; "The past is a ghost, the future is a dream and all we ever have is now" - Bill Cosby

BJORN



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