History:
In 1909 a brand new modern steel site was built at the banks of a canal between Charleroi and Brussels. At the time steel was one of the largest industries in Wallonia and was truly booming in industrial hubs like Liège and Charleroi. The complex started with just two blast furnaces but expanded quickly to over 5 blast furnaces.
FDC after WW2
After the second world war the site expanded further. At the beginning of the 70s the company commissioned a new blast furnace (HF6) and a brand new steelworks. After this the worldwide energy crisis started though, which kickstarted the general decline of Forges De Clabecq. In the 90s the iron curtain fell which meant that other plants in the former Soviet-bloc could start dumping their cheap steel in Europe. In 1996 most of the operations were shut down, except for the last blast furnace and the steelworks which was constructed in 1970. 2001 was the time when the steelworks closed permanently.
FDC at its peak in the 70s. In front you can see the then brand new BOF-steelworks
After the closure, Forges De Clabecq became a true classic in the Belgium urbex scene. Back in 2006 until 2010 this site was often trafficked by many explorers. Nowadays the site is partially demolished and is a shell of its former self. Just one classic blast furnace is remaining on the vast site.
Photos:
Small pumping house of the facility
I also made a video where I went more in-depth into the history of Forges De Clabecq:
Thanks for reading and watching!
In 1909 a brand new modern steel site was built at the banks of a canal between Charleroi and Brussels. At the time steel was one of the largest industries in Wallonia and was truly booming in industrial hubs like Liège and Charleroi. The complex started with just two blast furnaces but expanded quickly to over 5 blast furnaces.
FDC after WW2
After the second world war the site expanded further. At the beginning of the 70s the company commissioned a new blast furnace (HF6) and a brand new steelworks. After this the worldwide energy crisis started though, which kickstarted the general decline of Forges De Clabecq. In the 90s the iron curtain fell which meant that other plants in the former Soviet-bloc could start dumping their cheap steel in Europe. In 1996 most of the operations were shut down, except for the last blast furnace and the steelworks which was constructed in 1970. 2001 was the time when the steelworks closed permanently.
FDC at its peak in the 70s. In front you can see the then brand new BOF-steelworks
After the closure, Forges De Clabecq became a true classic in the Belgium urbex scene. Back in 2006 until 2010 this site was often trafficked by many explorers. Nowadays the site is partially demolished and is a shell of its former self. Just one classic blast furnace is remaining on the vast site.
Photos:
Small pumping house of the facility
I also made a video where I went more in-depth into the history of Forges De Clabecq:
Thanks for reading and watching!
