Grapes in Glass Houses - SteemitPhotoChallenge Entry

Overijse Belgium, in the countryside outside of Brussels, is known for its serres (glass houses) where they have been growing table grapes for over a century.

Unlike southern Europe, the climate is too cool and rainy to grow grapes outdoors in Belgium. In the late 1800's they started growing grapes in glass houses where they could keep the temperature warm enough for the plants to survive. For decades the grape industry was profitable and this region flourished.

By the 1960's, the influx of less expensive foreign grapes started the industry in decline. By 1973, after the energy crisis, it became very expensive to heat the glass houses and the industry suffered further.

Today, some farmers still grow grapes in this region, though the number of glass houses has gone from around 35,000 at its peak, to just a few hundred. It is still beautiful to drive around and see these old serres, some of them dating back a century or more.

This photo was taken on an amazing foggy morning where the sun just broke out of the clouds and lit up the glass houses. You can see the silhouette of the grape plants inside.

This is my first entry to the Steemit Photo Challenge #17, Countryside.