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Aunt Anna in the ghost town of Doel in Belgium

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Guest writer: Anna Nilsson Spets

If you want to do something completely different in Belgium, head to the community of Doel, just outside Antwerp.  

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Doel is the abandoned site that has been fought over in court for years; today it is virtually deserted except for a few residents who refuse to move. 

In 1998 it was decided that the port of Antwerp would be expanded, it is Europe's second largest port and large container ships come and go, being loaded and unloaded with extremely large cranes. The harbour has existed since the 16th century. Antwerp actually has two harbours on either side of the city.  

The logistics are a mystery to me ...

As early as the 1960s, discussions began about Doel, located near the river Scheldt, which is the link between the North Sea and the harbour. 

In 1998, the community was emptied and some residents sold their homes at favourable prices, others have retained ownership, with only a handful of residents hanging on. 

The village became a haven for squatters and vandalism, leading to metal discs being placed over windows and doors. To prevent illegal housing, identity checks have also been introduced, with evening and morning scans of ID cards at a barrier. 

The church is from the 1850s and is still in use, it has been renovated but due to the sinking ground it is somewhat slanted. The major issue during the evacuation for the construction of the new harbour dock was of course the graves.  

Doel also has one of the oldest windmills in Flanders, dating back to the 18th century. 

Since the 1960s, four nuclear power plants have loomed over the community.  

Today, Doel is a tourist attraction, many people visit the community for the strange feeling that it is abandoned, a ghost town. Others come to look at the graffiti. Every year a festival is held here. Many films have been shot here.  

The future of Doel is still not clear, discussions are ongoing, but as things stand there will be no new harbour dock there. Those who still have ownership rights can now move back, but the houses are basically uninhabitable after 25 years. 

Mother Nature has started to take over. 

I am eagerly awaiting Doel's future. 

Practicalities of visiting Doel in Belgium

  • Getting here: The easiest way to get here is by car; trains and buses are possible but inconvenient. 
  • Food service: Coffee and food only on certain days.
Anna Nilsson Spets

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Anna Nilsson Spets

60+ year old lady with a lifelong love for Africa. Emigrated to Flanders in Belgium and works with plants on a daily basis. Writes, takes photos and tries to inspire others to budget travel on their own. Blogs on "Anna's mix" about travelling, work, plants, writing and much more.

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