The Speulderbos is one of the oldest forests in the Netherlands and is located in the Veluwe, the area in the Netherlands that I love the most. It is a beautiful piece of nature where you can endlessly explore vast forests, flowering heathlands and wild red deer. But, be careful. There’s the Demon from Hoge Duvel (Ossaert) lurking In the darkness.
Part of the Veluwe, the Speulderbos, is notable for its ancient, crooked trees. At dusk or in the fog, they seem to dance.
The origin of the Dancing Forest (The Speulderbos)
A long time before people stopped believing in magic, in the heart of the ancient forest, as the twilight melted into night, magical creatures known as fauns emerged from their groves. Those who dared to enter the forest at that time said that strange things happened there. They saw creatures like men but with goats’ legs and horns, dancing between the trees. They danced not just for the sheer pleasure of it, but as a celebration of life and nature. Fireflies gathered around, adding their flickering lights to the magical scene. The forest, usually so serene, was alive, wild with energy and enchantment. But not for everyone…
People began talking that devils lived in the forest. They were scared until one brave priest, a preacher, struck courage into the hearts of the folk. One little spark was enough to set the fire of hate, and in the surge of this hatred, they killed the magical creatures. Those who managed to escape from the macabre had to hide from human sight for the rest of their lives. The forest cried between the rustling of leaves. It writhed in pain for the lost magic…
I’m sorry to disappoint you… But the true history of this place is much more pragmatic. In the past, the trees were cut down, the wood being intended for shipbuilding. They spared crooked tree stems and allowed them to remain standing, because they did not produce straight planks. This process has resulted in a forest full of crooked trees.
The Solse Gat
In ancient times dense, uninterrupted forests covered most of central and eastern Europe. Forests were home to numerous wild animals that our ancestors hunted. People benefited greatly from the forest thickets, obtaining fruit, fuel and game. However, they had to reckon with all the dangers lurking in the wilderness. Contrary to appearances, meeting robbers or an angry aurochs was not the worst thing that could happen to them among the virgin forests. Since the dawn of time, the forest was the home of numerous beings from the border between sleep and reality. A few were friendly towards people, others were afraid of them, but most were a cause of trouble. After all, demons, devils, nixies, ghosts, and other creatures inhabited this forest Places that until now are a cult of mystery like Solse Gat (hole of Sol).
The legend of the Solse Gat
In the middle of the dark hook forest, where even the sun can’t reach the ground and mists floated like a mysterious veil, stood an old monastery with many towers. Surrounded by a moat and a broad passage that led to the gate, it was built from grey stones that seemed to remember times long past. But it was a place not of prayer of enigmas. God had abandoned the place.
The abbots and monks had sold their souls to the devil in exchange for wealth and extravagant lifestyles. The Devil himself provided them with extensive amounts of food and wine. Each night, witches visited the monastery to practice their black magic. They ate lavishly and drank wine by the buckets. Thus, they sang, danced and cursed until the early morning. This went on and on each night. Some had seen the hellishly bright windows, and heard the frightening sounds that came from inside the monastery.
This lasted until a fateful Christmas night. A storm was raging, and the people sheltered indoors. When the bells tolled at midnight, a thunderous crash could be heard. The townsfolk suspected nothing, until they found out the monastery had vanished into thin air, leaving a dark grim hole instead. Even today, you can hear those bells toll at midnight in demonic, distorted ways, each chime louder than the first. A blue glow emanates from the hole, as ghosts of the monks appear from within the forest. They move in a line, following the road that used to be there. Yammering and complaining, the monks move towards the hole, which they encircle. Then after a while, they scatter and disappear into the forest, only to form another line, leading towards the remnants of the monastery. This continues until the early morning, when they disappear into the hole from where they came…
Today in the Speulderbos lies the Solse Gat, a large clay pit between the hills. It originated as a pingo ruin, a large lump of ice in the ground that left a large crater after melting. Ice melting or not it is still an odd place that will give you goosebumps. Belief me or not. When I went to this place the sun hid behind the clouds, a violent wind came up, the storm was nagging. As quickly as we started our walk, we finished it getting soaked to the skin.
I’m just kidding… Not about the storm part. It started really raining when we got closer the Solse Gat but it was just a coincidence, I think.
This place is incredibly old and truly unique, where history mingles with the scent of resin and mushrooms. The forest is has been declared the most beautiful forest of the Netherlands by the Dutch Forestry Commission and is popularly known as the forest of dancing trees.
Sources
Vink, L.(n.d.). Speulderbos in de herfst – Dansende bomen. Vink Academy. Retrieved july, 2024, from https://vinkacademy.nl/fotografie-inspiratie/dansende-bomen-speulderbos-sprielderbos-herfst/
Solse Gat. (n.d.). Dutch Folklore Wikia. Retrieved july, 2024,from https://dutch-folklore.fandom.com/wiki/Solse_Gat
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