Surrounded by early-morning haze we woke up in one of the most remarkable abandoned buildings we have explored so far: the Sanatorium du Basil. It’s a ridiculously huge place where people with tuberculosis used to be treated many years ago. Off the beaten path this site is deserted today – most rooms are empty and decay is progressing fast. The sanatorium is in constant change due to a lot of new visitors. Obviously we weren’t able to avoid doing a visit here by ourselves. So have fun joining our exploration of the impressive Sanatorium du Basil!
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Check out the video of our adventure:
It was a cold February day somewhere in Belgium: The sun had already set some time ago but we approached Sanatorium du Basil through the woods to avoid unwanted attention from neighbors. Soon we could see the apparitional shape of the building at dusk. Priority number one for us was to find a decent sleeping spot.
2.
It was a cold February day somewhere in Belgium: The sun had already set some time ago but we approached Sanatorium du Basil through the woods to avoid unwanted attention from neighbors. Soon we could see the apparitional shape of the building at dusk. Priority number one for us was to find a decent sleeping spot.
3.
Sanatorium du Basil was one of the many sanatoriums that were built in the 19th and 20th century in order to treat tuberculosis. The construction of this site of 56 hectares started in 1900 and cost around 1.2 million Francs. The first patients were admitted three years later in 1903. Only men from the near industrial city Liège were treated here at first. 114 beds were provided for that. Later the facility was opened for sickened women too.
4.
Sanatorium du Basil was one of the many sanatoriums that were built in the 19th and 20th century in order to treat tuberculosis. The construction of this site of 56 hectares started in 1900 and cost around 1.2 million Francs. The first patients were admitted three years later in 1903. Only men from the near industrial city Liège were treated here at first. 114 beds were provided for that. Later the facility was opened for sickened women too.
5.
Once it was possible to treat tuberculosis with drugs this place got a new purpose: It became a rehabilitation facility with around 150 employees. There was even a pediatric clinic. After an integration with another hospital this site was closed in 2010. It became a shelter for asylum seekers and was finally abandoned due to cost concerns.
6.
Once it was possible to treat tuberculosis with drugs this place got a new purpose: It became a rehabilitation facility with around 150 employees. There was even a pediatric clinic. After an integration with another hospital this site was closed in 2010. It became a shelter for asylum seekers and was finally abandoned due to cost concerns.
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