Murder in the Beguinage
An interactive discovery of the historical beguinage of Lier
Grachtkant - Hellestraat (Ditch Side - Hell Street)
[Next: St Margareth Street or click any picture]
History
Hell Street number 3 "Ruusbroec" is the smallest house in the beguinage. In 1925, the writer Felix Timmermans, the architect Flor van Reeth, and writer/thinker Ernest Van der Hallen established here the "Pelgrimsbeweging" (Pilgrim Movement). Main aim: a spiritual and religious revival of art.
The house with the vine overgrowing its entrance is named "'t Soete Naemke" (the Sweet Name). It was the workplace for local artists like Frans Bogaerts and Oscar Van Rompay.
Murder tip
"Don't say anything, I already know what happened," a man of about 40 tells you when you appear, "I am Victor. I just returned from the grocery in the city when your assistant knocked at the door. He asked me to stay home until you came."
"So, did he already ask you what you saw and heard?" you ask.
"Yes, he wrote down what I told him: that I was in my front garden watering the flowers and cutting the vines. My neighbour had already left the reception--his weekly amusement, and had just told me how to prune this vine here, when I suddenly heard a scream coming from that direction (he points to the northwest). Then I heard footsteps, about 40, a slamming door, and then silence."
"Did you seen anybody?"
"Nope, not in the Hell Street, neither on the Ditch Side Street. Apart from a few tourists leaving the beguinage through the gate at the end of the Ditch Side Street, that is. But I don't think they have anything to do with it. Then I saw William running through the St Margareth Street in the direction of the Vest, and back to the church." he answers.
"Then I continued my job, and about a quarter of an hour later, I went for bread. I didn't suspect that such a terrible thing would happen in the beguinage," he says.
"Murders happen everywhere" you remark dryly when you leave the man, thanking him for his valuable information.