The Dutch capital of the province of Friesland is Leeuwarden, with less than 100,000 inhabitants. Leeuwarden not only has a picturesque old town with centuries-old canals, whose landmark is the Oldehove, a tower that is even more crooked than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but also plenty of historic buildings. One of these is the Blokhuispoort, a former prison that is now a cultural center with offices, a restaurant, various shops, and a hostel where you can actually spend the night in a prison cell. The imposing Blokhuispoort in the center of Leeuwarden looks back on over 500 years of history. It all began in 1499, when Albrecht of Saxony had it built as a kind of fortress. After Saxon rule, the Habsburgs exercised their power there from 1515 to 1580. In 1580, Mayor Adje Lambertsz was able to recapture the Blokhuispoort for the city of Leeuwarden through a cunning trick, and the first prison was built on the site in 1661. However, it burned down completely in 1754, killing six prisoners. The prison was rebuilt, and from 1838 onwards, only men were imprisoned there. After a spectacular escape in 1868, in which one prisoner drowned, it was decided to build a new special prison. This was constructed between 1870 and 1877 and only held prisoners with sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment. It was considered the largest and strictest special prison in the Netherlands. No wonder that the resistance fighters of Friesland were also imprisoned there during the Second World War. On December 8, 1944, 51 of them were freed without a single shot being fired. Until 1953, the Blokhuispoort was a special prison, after which it was converted into a normal prison. In 1970, the prison was closed for six years and only reopened in 1976. At the end of 2007, the prison was finally closed and has since become a cultural hotspot in the heart of Leeuwarden.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery!
My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us.
At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers!
My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark.
You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras!
But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them.
With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all.
TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes.
Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories.
Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
