Filming locations - Devil's Nightmare

Devil's Nightmare is a Belgian/Italian horror movie released in 1971. Directed by Jean Brismée, it tells the story of seven tourists who become lost during a trip in Europe. A strange man by the roadside shows them the way, but as it's too late to catch the ferry, they are then directed to a castle where they can spend the night. There, they meet a succubus (Erika Blanc) who kills them because they represent the seven sins.

In Belgium, where the film was shot and released under the French title La plus longue nuit du diable, hardly anyone knows of its existence. However, it was quite successful in Italy. Since then, it has been released under an array of different titles, so you may also know it as The Devil Walks at Midnight, Nightmare of Terror, Vampire Playgirls, Castle of Death, La terrificante notte del demonio, Au service du diable, etc.

This strange mix between The Pit and the Pendulum and the Euro trash films of Jess Franco and Jean Rollin, was almost entirely shot in and around a castle in Belgium: Château d'Antoing or Castle of the Princes of De Ligne, which was first mentioned in the 12th century but rebuilt by architect Clement Parent in neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. It's one of the country's most beautiful castles, so whether you've seen the film or not, it's worth a visit when you're in South West Belgium or one of the neighboring cities in France.

Abandoned ABC cinema

The now abandoned Cinéma ABC is a heritage site in Brussels, Belgium. This old-style adult cinema on Boulevard Adolph Max opened its doors in the early 1970s and was known for its live striptease acts during the breaks between films.

In the summer of 2013, Cinéma ABC closed its doors and has been left abandoned. It might disappear forever. However, Cinema Nova and Offscreen are currently raising funds to save the cinema.

A few days ago, I managed to get the key and went inside to take photos.

Everything, from the cinema and projection room to the offices, was still intact. We found many 35mm adult films, both trashy and classy ones. Radley Metzger, who accompanied me to the Cinéma ABC, was happy to find one of his own movies, The Opening of Misty Beethoven, among the collection.

In the two bedrooms, where striptease dancers could “rest” in between performances, the walls were papered with adult movie posters.

Anyway, here are the photos of this unforgettable cinema...

Previous urbex posts: Abandoned hotel in Spa / Creepy war fortification in Sint-Katelijne-Waver / Abandoned horror-themed restaurant / Abandoned haunted convent / Abandoned hotel on Ibiza

Urbex - Spooky hotel in Spa

Whilst spending New Year’s Eve in Spa, Belgium, I stumbled upon an urbex site I hadn’t heard of before: the spooky Hôtel du Golf.

As I moved through the domain to explore, a slight winter breeze made the curtains flutter polyphonically along with the the clacking of the windows against their frames.

Inside the hotel, some rooms had been daubed by decay, whereas others still bore witness to a lively past. Menus, glasses and ashtrays sat on the bar, exactly where they had been ten years ago. Files had been left inside their bookcases, and computers on their desks. One could easily imagine the staff working the administration in their respective cubicles, or tourists enjoying an apéritif in the lounge, soft music in the background, the smell of cigarettes and lime wafting through the air.

It’s the life inside the decay that makes urbex so fascinating in my opinion. Just as with a dying body, there’s still a heart pumping inside the place, there’s still blood moving through its veins, though so weak it can easily be denied.

The municipality of Spa isn’t too pleased with this spooky hotel in the midst of their wellness attractions. However, the true heart of the city, together with all its souvenirs, are more present here than anywhere else in town.

What do you think of this spooky hotel in Spa? Are you a fan of urbex?

Previous urbex posts: Creepy fortification in Sint-katelijne-Waver / Abandoned horror-themed restaurant / Abandoned haunted convent / Abandoned hotel on Ibiza

Urbex - Abandoned hotel on Ibiza

In the bay of Cala d'en Serra, in the north of Ibiza, lies one of the hidden gems of the Balearic islands: an abandoned hotel complex designed by the acclaimed Spanish architect Josep Lluis Sert. The hotel was started in 1969, but never finished because Spain's fascist government prevented Sert from being accredited as an architect in the region. The idea was to continue the project after the turmoil was over. Unfortunately, Josep Lluis Sert died of lung cancer before anything could be done. In the year 2000 plans were drawn up to finish the complex in the style intended by Josep Lluis Sert and to turn it into a thalassotherapy centre. These plans were abandoned due to the world banking crisis.

The unfinished hotel has an eerie urbex feel that juxtaposes wonderfully with the turquoise sea. As you'll see from the photos, it offers a magnificent view of the bay and the surrounding pine woodland. I visited the site last month and it was definitely my favorite part of Ibiza.

It's easy to find. Just descend the dirt road towards the bay Cala d'en Serra (preferably by foot to avoid damaging your car). It's close to other well-known bays such as Portinatx, Cala des Xuclar, S'illot des Rencí, Cala Xarraca and Benirràs, so you can easily combine a visit of the abandoned hotel with other activities.

Previous urbex posts: abandoned horror-themed restaurant / abandoned haunted convent / creepy war fortification

Previous posts about Ibiza: Ibiza / Santa Eulària / Cats of Ibiza