NEW - WORK IN PROGRESS
[SOME "ACTION" PORTRAITS]
Thursday 11-03-2010

It was a cold but sunny weekeind that we [Dimi alias 3izzard] went out for some exploration in Belgium, probably the last for some time. New explorations all across Europe are waiting. Because of the lack of time we almost never made some action shot's on the locations we have explored. It was much fun and for certain we will do this more often in the future.

IN PROGRESS
SKYTECH Russian MI-26
Tuesday 09-02-2010

NEW - THE ABANDONED STEAM SAWMILL
Monday 22-02-2010 [July 2009]

The wooden sawmill was built in 1932 and is left abandoned since 1983. The steam sawmill still contains the complete equipment, including some interesting ancient looking steam engines (The Noble, Nolet and Bracq, manufactured in 1902 and bought second hand in 1932). After almost 27 years of abandonment the protected monument [1993] has undergo some serious decline. Today the whole place is taken over by nature and could collapse any minute!

INTERVIEW
FOCUS MAGAZINE [02-2010]
Tuesday 09-02-2010

Restoring the past glory in honor, that's what JAhNoszh is doing whit his photography of industrial ruins, forgotten buildings and outdated transport. Behind weathered walls and forbidden doors he reveals the wonderful testimonies of a long forgotten history...

CHEMIEWERKE DDR
Tuesday 01-12-2009

On a cold, rainy morning we entered the massive building of a abandoned chemical company. It has a small document treasure. At first the entrance looked difficult, but Dimi found his way quickly and opened the frontdoor before I even noticed he was gone! Most of the building was already empty but the top-level has a fine preserved document stock and some very old chemical knowledge books stored in the library.

STEAM LOCOMOTIVES DDR
Tuesday 01-12-2009

Deep inside the former DDR on a abandoned railtrack there are standing some 30 rusty steam locomotives [Dampfloks]. The sight of these steel giants is simply stunning and impressive.

DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES
[REVISIT]
Saturday 14-11-2009

After 4 or 5 revisit's to this fabulous location it is time to say goodbye. Maybe just in time because trees and bush have bin cut down, bounded and laid down next to the rail tracks. All of the diesel locomotives where removed from the depot, including the demolition of the washing room with offices. Around midnight we entered the terrain, the wind was strong and it was rather difficult photography with long exposures. All though the city has a long criminal reputation, on the graveyard one only hears the wind blow hard and the loud flapping of doors and components. Creepy!

ABANDONED BUSES [REVISIT]
Monday 02-11-2009

ST. EXPRESSED
Sunday 01-11-2009

So fantastic to find all these old leaden and tin made type characters. Complete alphabets are stored in old wooden boxes archived by their typeface name, truly amazing. Between the old press machines there was also a original Heidelberg. The attic contains lots of original printing plates and also dusty books dating back to at least 1887.

CENTRAL TERMICA POWERSTATION
[SPAIN]
Sunday 01-11-2009

A revisit to the abandoned power station located in Spain. After almost one year the reconstruction should have bin in full progress or at least have bin started by now, but it seems there is delay. The decline is making progress and pigeons are taking over the engine hall...

FABRICA TEXTIL
[SPAIN]
Sunday 28-06-2009

Ancient textile factory with the fibers still stuck in the machines. Incredible to find all these rusty machinery and old documents. Thanx to the police...

FABRICA DE VINO
[SPAIN]
Sunday 28-06-2009

Fantastic old former factory and wine cellar on the urban edge of the city. This cooperative founded in 1919 was engaged in the manufacture and sale of wine, a product that only sold until 1923. After many years of abandonment and destruction a foundation promotes the defense of the 'forgotten' industrial heritage balear.

PANACOLOR FILM STUDIO
Saturday 23-05-2009

The origin of the film studio started after the Second World War. Their core essence was film synchronization and dubbing. The construction of the studio was an architectural masterpiece, which was in many areas his way forward. The studio which floor "floats", allowed the whole room in complete isolation. Many documentary films and television productions where translated in various languages.

ECVB POWER STATION
Friday 22-05-2009

The roots of the power station ECVB goes back to 1913. The base of the station was to extend and develop a heavy industrial area. It's not exactly clear when the plant ceased operation, but it seems around 1997. So after more then 10 years of abandonment this steel virgin with it's rough machines and giant pipes, has no traces of vandalism or graffiti. The boilers, turbines, electrical systems and the equipment are still more or less intact, preserved. Besides some rust and peeling paint the station is covered with dust and asbestos. Today the station is an absolutely fascinating place for anyone interested in "heavy machinery" of past times. The thumbs below showing a part of the station that easily could be compared with a old spaceship, stationed centuries ago.

IN PROGRESS - CASTLE OF MESEN [FINAL]
Friday 22-05-2009

THE OLD POTTERY
Sunday 19-04-2009

The origin of the tile bakery goes back to 1677. The factory provided beside tiles also flowers and chimney pottery. The whole atmosphere is magnificent, light shatters through small openings between the wood and holes between the tiles. Leaving a great impression of an ancient but slowly lost craft industry. Classic machinery is still standing on the old wooden floors and tools are spread on the working tables. Old pots are covered with a layer of dust and spiderwebs, the abandoned tiles must be dry by now.

In 1999, the last tiles were eventually baked and the factory became closed. For a few years now the bakery falls under the protection of the monument law. This for the Netherlands unique piece of history is silently waiting for a new destination.

CRYSTAL COMPANY [REVISIT]
Sunday 05-04-2009

TRAM DEPOT
Sunday 08-03-2009

THREE LOCATIONS EXPLORATION
ABANDONED BUSES, CRYSTAL COMPANY & CHATEAU ROCHENDAAL
Sunday 11-01-2009

Last year [26-10-2008] we did some explorations in Belgium again. We went to a bus garage full with abandoned buses, a thick layer of dust is covering the buses. After that we went to a ancient and decayed Crystal company, a famous cristallerie who made handmade crystal. Tools, glass and equipment are spread widely around the working tables, the place has a fantastic ancient feel. The end of day was planned for chateau/castle Rochendaal, located on a military domain. Unfortunately the place was much more trashed then expected!

ABANDONED BUSES, BUS GARAGE
Sunday 26-10-2008

Hidden in a large bus garage we found a small collection of abandoned buses, covered with a thick layer of dust. The garage itself is not completely abandoned, but these old buses are covered with dust and going slowly into decline. Some of the last destinations are still visible on the display panels. But these buses are out of service!

CRYSTAL COMPANY
Sunday 26-10-2008

In 1826 two Frenchmen bought a deserted building and opened a crystal manufactory. The cristallerie became world famous. The factory reached its pinnacle shortly before the first World War when every day all over the world more than 5000 people made about a 160.000 crystal items. The crystal vases and other decorative elements found their way to houses all over the world. The crystal was famous for its purity and exceptional brilliance.

The depression of the 1930's changed everything. From then on the sales kept going down and, although the Belgian government kept subsidizing the company until 1987, it never found its old glory back. A part of this ancient old glory is left abandoned, falling into decline. Some of the crystal glass [all though in bad shape] can be found in the storage buildings. Tools, glass and equipment are spread widely around the working tables, the place has a fantastic ancient feel.

CHATEAU ROCHENDAAL
Sunday 26-10-2008

Between 1876 and 1891 was lawyer Jean Henri Paul Ulens mayor of St. Truiden. In 1881 he gave order to build a small castle named Rochendaal. During world war II the castle was incorporated in a military domain. In may 1946 the German Luftwaffe rapidly developed the domain, with 3 concrete runways. It became a important pawn in the military system of the Germans. After the war the domain felt back under competence of the Belgium army, the castle served as a officers place. The whole domain including the castle where closed in 1996 and left abandoned since...

The castle becomes ransacked, vandalized and falling in ruins.

LOCOMOTIVES GRAVEYARD
Sunday 12-10-2008

One year later. Revisited this still beautiful locomotives location. To bad to see that a lot of graffiti did his appearance on the graveyard, as well as for the demolishing of windows and lamps. Glass is spread widely over the ground. It looks like railway technicians have taken spare elements with rude force. Giant holes are made with gas burners, large but also small parts are taken away. Ugly scars is all that is left behind.

FORGES DE CLABECQ
Sunday12-10-2008

Les Forges de Clabecq, a 100-year-old family firm run by the last representative of the founding family until 1995, kept out of the regrouping in the Belgian steel industry which occurred at the end of the 1970th It then still employed 5,000 workers and had its own markets and specific products. The public authorities became shareholders in the 1980th, but left the power of decision with the private shareholders, the families and their banking groups. In 1992, a strike broke out and bankruptcy was declared at the beginning of 1997. Resources were insufficient to pay back the bank loans or pay the legal compensation and the debts owed to the workforce.

At this moment [2008] the Forges are going to be dismantled, prepared for demolition. A lot of the empty storage sheds are already in full demolition. One could spend more then a day to see everything in detail.

URBAN BLUE PRINTS
Tuesday 15-07-2008

Something different from the normal photography. A collection of Blueprints. Most of the blueprints where photographed at Carcoke Tertre, Safea and Central Termica. The wrinkled papers are from the reconstructed factory Polak and Schwarz.

CENTRAL TERMICA POWERSTATION
[SPAIN]
Sunday 09-06-2008

This coal-fired power station is one of the most important examples of industrial architecture for this area. Inaugurated by general Franco in 1957 and built according to a design by the Spanish architect Molezun. It was not located by the sea because of the views, but because the coal shipments arrived by sea. This site has an area of 53000 m2.

For more then 10 years the power station and its surroundings are abandoned and slowly falling into decay. The two tall and impressive chimneys rise above the bay and have become a common reference to the landscape of the bay. A reconstruction project is started and will include the factories characteristic of the industrial time. After the reconstuction a museum will be showing how one worked and lived in the industrial colony before the tourists arrived. The building will also have a library and an auditorium. The tanks that lodged the fuel will be transformed into exposition spaces. The cleaning is started and there was totally no trace of graffiti or vandalism to be found!

SNCB LOCOMOTIVES DEPOT
Saturday 05-04-2008

A older exploration from last year! Located in a heavy industrial area exists this well preserved depot full with abandoned and decayed locomotives. There are about fifty of these 50 tons heavyweight diesel locomotives in the graveyard. In the depot is not much of vandalism to be found.

CHATEAU NOISY / MIRANDA
Sunday 30-03-2008

Hidden into the forests of the Ardennen lies the admirable castle Château de Miranda. The château is built in 1866 and has been designed by the English architect Milner, although the architect died before the building was completed. The castle has had several tasks. During the Ardennen offensive in World War II, the château was briefly occupied by German troops. As from 1950 the NMBS/SNCB (Belgium railway company) has used the castle as a holiday home. It gave shelter to the children, who suffer from worse health conditions. After 1970 it was used for outdoor activities and sport holidays for children and was well known in Belgium. And in October 1975 it served also as film scenery for a TV production. Since 1991 it has became empty, abandoned and is the Chateau Noisy quickly falling in ruins since...

When we explored Noisy last august we had to hide several times because of the interruption of hunters. After the 3rd time we decided to leave. And to go back when the hunting season is over!

TRACTION-SUD
[Dereliction of duty]
Saturday 22-11-2007

Inspired by the beauty of the decayed military vehicles on Traction Sud, JAhNoszh has created a series of 2 pieces of art in grungy style. All input comes from the photographed pictures, except for some warning signs. Within a few months image maps of all 2 the artworks will be posted, showing hi-res detailed close-ups! A third creation is still in progress..

CARCOKE TERTRE Imagemap
Saturday 17-11-2007

Could not resist to create a image map for Tertre, showing hi-res details of the artwork. You can imagine what the details will look like printed on full size. Incomparably better than the low-res photos seen on the website. Size= 7050x5880 pix. 118,6 mb.

METEORENWEG [Crunched memorials]
Friday 16-11-2007

LAKEN CRYPT
Friday 24-08-2007

After more then 20 years of decline the crypt of Laken will receive a large amount of euro's for the restoration of this protected monument. After the restoration it is the intention to open the crypt for the public once again. Hopefully the restoration will soon start. But one can imagine the works will take some time to keep the origin as close as it was.

KASTEEL VAN MESEN
Monday 28-05-2007

Lots of people wants to explore the Castle of Mesen for it's beauty and serenity. As always with a hype, unwanted "guests" appeared on the location with bad intensions. Some folks have no respect for the castle and the local people. Others where caught by the police while stealing parts from the abandoned castle. The conditions are getting more dangerous by the week! Keep in mind that the place is very dangerous and unstable to explore. I've been there for 2 and 5 years ago and just a few weeks back for a reshoot. I can only advise to stay on the ground! It's always the best to watch to large amount of photos on the web!!!

TRACTION-SUD [movie]
Sunday 27-05-2007

Deep into the south of Belgium there is a huge yunkyard full of army trucks and cars fallen into decay. This yunkyard is named "Traction Sud" and is in fact a garage for repair and reconstructing of old vehicles. Besides photography, i have made some movies of the place! The movie is a bit shaky due to the rough terrain and bush around the cars. For every place visited i'm making short movies and will merge and stitch them together, the make one big version! In the second part of this year i hope to switch to a HD camcorder. There is so much more detail to see and a more accurate balance for the light and shade conditions. As you can expect the owner of the yunkyard is not happy with the attraction of urban explorers. It's supposed to stay hidden and covered into the bush. Hopefully the camouflage will do!

CHATILLON PART XL
Sunday 27-05-2007

Finally all of the slides are scanned, cleaned and retouched. The only thing to do, is to prepare the photos for the web. Together with Dimi we explored this well hidden car graveyard. The access to Chatillon was fabulous, the first steps into the wood made us say seamless, WOW! This place rocks! What a atmosphere and so quite and peaceful all together. I think we where the whole morning overthere, all though the weather was grey and rainy. We also found a skeleton, or more a carcass from a fox. The photos are a bit shaky because of the low position to the ground and the missing of light. But i've managed to retouche the photos up. Defenitely worth a second visit!