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The haunted house

2009.07.25

The haunted house of Sint-Anna-ter Muiden (Sluis)

a creepy tune to go with it

The haunted house of Sint-Anna-ter Muiden (Sluis) as it is called, was built by Marguerite Van Loo, who was married to Baron Leon Cox. They gave it the French name “ La Pommeraie”, most likely due to the apple orchard around the house. But the honourable family didn't live there for long. The new residents were French: Les Soeurs de la Providence de Rouen (the Sisters of Providence). They were exiled to Bruges in 1907 and bought the building in Sluis five years later. In 1934 it was purchased by the Congregation of the Sisters of the childhood of Mary, who used it as a school. It has always been a school and a home for sisters but during the 2nd WW they had to move as it was to be used as a red cross hospital. At the end of 1946 the sisters returned and opened up the school again. But also the public services used the main building at that time till 1950. The building remained a school till 1987 when the sisters moved to another village not far from Bruges. Ever since the building has been empty, and started to go in ruin. Which is a shame, because it must have been a wonderful building in its days. Now it stands there partially hidden between trees, shrubs and bushes, with a ditch and fence around it.

Now for the fun part!!
Ever since it's been empty it has a history of black magic witchcraft and satanic rituals having been held in there. Also there is talk of ghosts roaming around. Certain groups of "ghost hunters" believe that many cruel things have gone on in the cellars during all those years as a convent and school, and after. But who will know the truth???? Whatever may be, I love the creepy stories I’ve read about it :-), just a pity they are all in Dutch, otherwise I would have added a few links.

The only thing I know is that I love the place (if only I had the money :-( ), even though it looks really bad, and you've got to watch your step in there! First time we went in my foot suddenly went through the floor (or was it a ghost pulling me down?), and the second time we went there, one of my wife's feet went through the floor also :-) and also big parts of the sealing are falling down.
I've done a few ruined buildings like these before, but i must admit, this one gave me the creeps at a certain moment (even without knowing its history at the time).

Especially as suddenly something very weird happened to my wife. And as i didn't know what was going on, i took some shots instead of doing something. She's sort of okay now, but she has been acting very weird since then ........ mwoeahahaha

Anybody interested in spending a spooky night there with me?? :-)))

Wow, some of the best pics I've seen so far. Very interesting story. I love the ghost stories. That's some crazy music to go with it!!! Are you and your wife ghost hunters? :)))) LOL.

????? · 2009-07-24: 21:26

Great set Peter. I half expected to see a spooky face peaking through one of the windows:) I don't think I would spend the night here.
I love #6 with the spiral staircase. Great place.

dontblink · 2009-07-24: 21:29

ooooooh, you know these are my favorite! so eerily wonderful! what an amazing place to explore. did you get spooked? i would totally stay there with you!!! :D

luvnug · 2009-07-24: 23:38

Very ethereal. Nice caps!

thebronzebow · 2009-07-25: 00:00

Great pictures...I notice that you didn't go down to the basement to take any
:-))

????? · 2009-07-25: 02:45

zo dat is ècht een spookhuis, het is een hele mooie serie Peter

willyknuijt · 2009-07-25: 03:14

fantastic set and what a place to explore! I especially like the shots taken inside the house. Nice treatment, certainly adds to the mysterious atmosphere of the place

Nychthemeron · 2009-07-25: 03:17

great set and fantastic climate ;)

fotoluzik · 2009-07-25: 03:54

Great work with effect interesting collection!

Quatros · 2009-07-25: 04:16

Very interesting story and fantastic set, bravo Peter!

????? · 2009-07-25: 06:21

OMG!!
This is set is terrifying!!!
And today my post is titled Scared? Now the answer is YES!
You've taken some photos so frightening! And the story... wow!
Why old scare stories surround the great abandoned buildings?
Btw, if you believe in ghosts, I have a method to see if they are there.
;)

????? · 2009-07-25: 07:11

Ha ha! I like spending a nights in my own house!
Amazing climate of this place. Very nice pictures.
And so interesting description!

JumiElla · 2009-07-25: 07:36

Creepy set, ok from the outside it is just abandoned but the inside photos are really making goose skin

GKorts · 2009-07-25: 07:39

awh! wicked set! old abandoned places are the best, and this one is far from an exception. you said you wanted someone to stay the night there, well, i accept your invitation.

stormmravenda · 2009-07-25: 10:14

great set! really good story too!
i like the shots of the windows,looking out

????? · 2009-07-25: 10:18

fantastic endroit....mais le jour!

tomie · 2009-07-25: 10:24

Great :)

JaCkYe · 2009-07-25: 10:56

GORGEOUS SET!!!

vterezia · 2009-07-25: 11:45

Terreur en vloek.... Dit moet Schotse fantomes plaats hun economieën

kormoran · 2009-07-25: 11:48

Great set! I like #5 and 11. I was expecting to be surprised by a ghost while watching your photos :-)

????? · 2009-07-25: 11:51

m'agraden molt especialment les imatges de l'interior de la casa.
bona feina, Peter!

neusnet · 2009-07-25: 15:20

Oh something is pulling me towards your picture, is it the ghost? Why do you scare me with all these stories, I am actually afraid of them and every night I feel somebody is pulling my leg and what not....hope your wife would come back to normal soon ;)

bedazzled · 2009-07-25: 15:59

AWESOME shots Peter ! and very interesting Ghost story !! well done !

finbarr · 2009-07-25: 17:41

Love it!

smbunation · 2009-07-25: 17:57

I always think that houses have souls..Wonderful set between scare, pity and amusement.

Wasichseh · 2009-07-25: 18:12

Awesome post..your use of sepia and the music definately set the tone! Your wife must be a 'saint' to go through the 'haunted' mansions with you!!

lifeisgood · 2009-07-25: 19:23

Wow, amazing post, Peter, with fantastic sepia tones....very scary mood you've set!! Don't think I'd like to go in there....have to give you (and your wife) credit for braving it!! Would have been sooo cool if you'd have captured a ghost in a photo ;)))

lookagain · 2009-07-25: 21:02

Interesting story, great job, fantastic set Peter!

boszorka65 · 2009-07-26: 03:05

I love those stories, too and your pictures illustrate perfectly a haunted place. They are really great and ...creepy! Sometimes it's not necessary to be in such a place for having strange manifestations. I live near a house with this fame (my post (14.11.08 - haunted), but nobody enters there.

Great and interesting set.

Unchained · 2009-07-26: 03:47

Great atmosphere! Thank you for the extra information my friend! :)

ppinho · 2009-07-26: 07:17

No way.: (((( too creepy great shots.

????? · 2009-07-26: 13:17

superb editing and lighting.

storytaylor · 2009-07-26: 14:17

Wonderful set Peter. You've really captured the mood of the place. I love the tones you've achieved. You seem to have a full range so that within each picture there are strong areas of light and dark, and it really works! I saved #15 as a favourite because it looks so sinister; I could picture that as part of a horror movie with the ivy growing up the wall and then shooting along the lines of the ceiling to get you.

Jarvo · 2009-07-26: 15:59

Never in a million years...you know when you captured this place SUPERBLY when I wouldn't even think about going there just by looking at your photos!!!!!!!!

lynnsgallery2 · 2009-07-26: 17:38