January 13th and 20th, February 4th and March 24th 2012 – Breda
After long mail contact, calling, visits to the then director etc., we finally got permission to do a few investigations in the vacant part of the Klokkenberg. At one of the investigations, Bibi Schouten was also present on behalf of FHM and her friend Kevin Hellenbrand (see photo), for making a report in the popular magazine.
The first stone of De Klokkenberg was laid in 1951, and the first patients arrived in 1953. De Klokkenberg was the largest and most modern tuberculosis sanatorium in the Netherlands. The care institution provided shelter and care to hundreds of TB patients.
The nursing and care was mainly done by nuns. TB quickly became a treatable disease. In 1969 there were not many patients left, and the sanatorium in De Klokkenberg ceased to exist. The nursing nuns disappeared and the complex was subsequently used as an epilepsy center, lung and asthma center, center for child and adolescent psychiatry, center for allergology immunology and thorax center.
With this history, you would think that there would be a lot of activity in the immensely large building, but it was disappointing in most places. But in the large, high attic of the building, we were able to capture quite a lot in the photo! Mario saw a nurse / nun who was always looking for his attention and who Mario was able to capture in the photo.
We found out that this nurse did not want to leave the building. Mario also had a flashback in the building in a room. Suddenly saw a room full of children playing. For a few seconds he thought he was back then. But as soon as the image appeared, it was gone as quickly as well. He also heard clattering nuggets from a nurse in the corridor, but unfortunately these were not recorded with the sound equipment.
It was quite an experience to investigate in this large building to be allowed to do. We sometimes asked permission later, but unfortunately this did not work, because the building is now being converted into beautiful apartments.
