Fotos

This is what rested of an ancient monastery near the village of Moerkerke: an old barn and a farmhouse (not on the picture).
It concerns the monastery of Sarepta. It was built in the 15th century but only 100 years after the construction the sisters already had to flee because of religious problems. Shortly afterwards, the Gueux (religious fighters) burnt down the convent. It was never rebuilt. Only the farm remained. The church and the other convent buildings were burnt to the ground. For those who know a bit about this age; the monastery of Lissewege (Ter Doest with the largest gothic barn in Belgium) had the same unfortunate faith.
The exact date of construction of the barn is not exactly known. It has been probably built with recuperated material of the destroyed convent. I have been been told that in the farmhouse itself the roof contained some burned wooden pilars, which came probably from the convent. The barn has been constructed without iron (no nails and so); only wooden pins keep the roof construction together.
Unfortunately, the farmhouse and the barn have been terribly neglected by the previous owner and have only been patched up with whatever was useful. That's why this old (one of the oldest of the region) barn looks so ugly. The barn used to be about 1/3 longer; a part of it collapsed in a heavy storm some years ago. It was never repaired.
Fortunately, the farmhouse and barn have been saved by the current owner who carefully restored both buildings to their late 19th century state (based on pictures and drawings).

Hope you like the sephia tint. Together with the snow, it gives the whole thing a somewhat sad atmosphere.