It’s 18th century Amsterdam there was a tannery at the Zeedijk, which spread an unpleasant scent- just like many other businesses in the area. The owner of the business was tanner Gerhards, who was a proud father of two daughters. And even though the business smelled like crazy, many men didn’t care and would even put themselves in it because of his beautiful daughters. The daughters were Dina– blond, kindhearted and friendly and Helena– dark hair, egocentric and with a temperament (I know, stereotypes are interesting). 

A young sailor named Wouter was deeply in love with Dina and showed that in any way he could- especially with strong expressions of love. Dina eventually couldn’t resist and fell for Wouter. But, in the meantime, Helena had also fallen in love with the young sailor and was jealous. She was going to do everything she could to destroy the love between her sister and the sailor: she even tried to seduce him, but nothing worked.

Then there was a moment when the young sailor Wouter had to go back to work again- and left for sea for a few weeks. In the meantime, he didn’t forget about Dina. In fact, he wrote her a passionate love letter. Unfortunately, it was intercepted by Dina’s sister Helena: she had thrown it into the fireplace. 

When Wouter returned from sea, he immediately asked Dina whether she had gotten his letter. But Dina didn’t get anything, which Wouter deemed to be very odd. Dina already had a hunch that Helena would probably know more about it. 

When Wouter went to sea again – she eventually exploded to Dina and they got into a serious fight. It lasted for days and eventually, they were fighting. No one was around. Near to where they were fighting, there was a deep basement, and the hatch was open. 

Helena pushed Dina into the basement where she kept lying as she was unconscious. Helena didn’t care and instead closed the hatch, so no one could see where Dina was. After some hours, Helena was asked where Dina was and she replied that she was with a friend.

The same night, Helena snuck to the basement and saw that Dina was alive and conscious. So, Helena grabbed a stick and hit Dina several times in the head. Just before Dina died, she shouted that Helena would never be at peace. And she wasn’t. 

A few days later, people found the body of Dina and they thought it was an accident. The entire neighbourhood of the Zeedijk was mourning the loss.

Wouter was at sea when all of this happened and when he returned a few weeks later, he learned that Dina had passed away and he was inconsolable. Helena soon tried to charm him and comfort Wouter in any way she could- she did it so well that Wouter married her after a few months. Just like she wanted.

But she was never happy. Day and night, she was tortured with the memories of the crime she committed. Many years later, Helena was on her deathbed and that is where she told her husband Wouter that she had killed Dina and asked for forgiveness. But Wouter was horrified and left her. 

Helena died alone on the 24th of July 1753. And that same night, the Zeedijk were woken by horrific screeches, howls and cries and lay awake in their beds. Exactly a hundred years later, the same noise was heard again at the location of the former tannery. She could never find any peace.

So, on the 24th of July 1953, everyone expected her to appear. So thousands of people – including reporters and film crews- came to the Zeedijk to hear and see Helena. But she never showed. It turned out that she didn’t like the crowds. 

Nowadays, Helena is still seen and felt in some late evenings on the Zeedijk. If you feel a cold shiver, the chances are that Helena is close by.

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