Anyone strolling through Mertert these days is in for a real fright. In the town, on the Moselle river and the German border, you’ll find what is probably the spookiest house in Luxembourg. From skeletons to ghosts, witches to demonic clowns, werewolves to other monstrous creatures, there’s a lot of fright on this haunted street.
There are dozens and dozens of Halloween costumes, accessories and props decorating the garden, the entrance, the balcony and the walls of Pedro Ferreira’s house.
“The idea came from a prank my daughters played. One day I came home and they had started decorating. And I thought it was funny,” said the 43-year-old. “Then, the following year, what did dad do? He went overboard and bought some more [decorations]. Now they say I’m crazy and they don’t help me anymore,” he recounted with a laugh.
It all started three years ago, because of a video his daughters saw on social media. “I saw some TikTok [posts] from America and wanted to make decorations that were more crime-related. I told my sister to lie down on the floor and I drew her body, like a corpse. We also bought some tape to put on the door as if it were a crime scene. Dad liked it and joined in,” said Soraya, 18, standing with her sister Sarah, 12.
Sometimes I start [buying props] as early as January, I take advantage of when they’re on sale. And then I put them together.
Pedro Ferreira
Since then, her father has never stopped. Every year in October, as Halloween approaches, he goes out to get another disguise, some more lights or a smoke machine.
“It’s been growing more and more. More and more people love it and stop, look and take photos,” said Pedro, proud of the decorations at his house. “The girls don’t find it so fun any more. But I like decorating and seeing the children when they come round. It gives me the drive to keep going.”
There are already so many pieces decorating the house that the Portuguese man has lost track. “I’ve never counted,” he confessed, explaining that he buys various props throughout the year. “Sometimes I start as early as January, taking advantage of promotions. And then I put them together.”
He also doesn’t know exactly how much he’s spent on all the decorations, but admits that it is more than €1,500.
As well as these items, Pedro reuses costumes from previous years to decorate the outside of the house. “Last year I dressed up as a scary clown. So this year I decided to put it together myself, piece by piece, like a puppet. Next year, I’m sure the costume I’m wearing now will be around too,” he said.
Props made from building materials
Some of the decorations are built by the owner himself. In his garden, for example, he has a tree made from 15 75-centilitre cans of window mounting foam. “I always use building materials,” he explained, while pointing to his creations. “I also made this wooden trellis. The chainsaw, the coffin, that figurine on the balcony, which was my invention two years ago, and this one behind me too.”
Pedro said he starts preparing the decorations a month in advance, so he can put everything together piece by piece. He builds the figurines and props in the garage and, about a week before Halloween, he puts everything up outside, from the entrance to the balcony and garden. “This year, as there was a lot of rain, I only managed to put it together last Sunday,” he said.
The neighbours are always waiting to see. Even the children come round asking what’s on this year. They say it’s great.
Pedro Ferreira
What matters is that this Friday, 31 October, everything is ready for the party. Pedro’s family always invites a few friends round to celebrate Halloween. “But everyone has to come in full costume, otherwise they won’t get in. That’s no fun,” warns the host, laughing.
There are also decorative elements inside the house, in the living room and on the dining table, fake spiderwebs hanging from the ceiling, and even the wine bottles have a special label. “We have a dinner party and then, when the children ring the doorbell, we all come out in our costumes and they think it’s very funny,” he said.
Pedro doesn’t believe that his house is the “scariest” in Luxembourg, not least because “more and more people are joining in and doing these events”. But at least in Mertert, it has to be the most decorated.
And don’t the neighbours get frightened? “No, they’re always waiting to see,” he said. “Even the children come round to ask what’s on this year. I’ve already had a few reactions and they say it’s top. This year it was a bit over the top, but that’s it.”
Although Halloween is an American tradition, Pedro has noticed that it is being celebrated more and more in Luxembourg. “I think it’s trending, because younger people like it. Maybe it’s not so much the older people, but I think the younger ones are joining in more and more,” he said.
As for next year’s decorations, Pedro hasn’t had any ideas yet, but he’s sure his costume will be there. “The idea is to keep growing!”
What’s on: Halloween
More decorations at Halloween than at Christmas
Born in Cantanhede, in Portugal, Pedro Ferreira arrived in Luxembourg when he was just 11 years old. He studied to become an electrician, but life took a different path and, at 18, he started working in the Bernard-Massard wine cellars in Grevenmacher, where he is still employed. He has lived in the house in Mertert since 2003, with his wife and two daughters.
This year, as usual, they’re dressing up for Halloween. The father is wearing a long black costume with a scythe, which represents ‘death’ or the ‘executioner’. Sarah, the youngest daughter, is dressed as a ‘scary doll’.
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Soraya, the eldest, chose a pirate costume. “I like to make my own costume, so I’m not going to buy it ready-made,” she said. “I also like putting make-up on people, getting blood on them and stuff. Last year I put make-up on my dad, mum and sister.”
As for decorating the house, each member of the family has their own preferences. Pedro likes all the props, but admits to having a special fondness for the garden. “And I really like the tree, which took a lot of work to make,” he joked.
The girls prefer the entrance area, which has a large archway full of creepy props. “We have to go through there every day, so I like it better,” said Soraya.
In previous years, the daughters helped their father decorate the house, but this year was different. “It’s colder now and it’s getting crazy,” Soraya said. “We really started with small decorations and now it’s everywhere. I think that’s enough.” On the other hand, she knows how much her father enjoys doing it. “It’s nice that he likes it, so we let him.”
After Halloween, it will be time to think about Christmas. Pedro’s family also usually decorates, but not as much as for Halloween. “I put up a lot of lights, but not like this. For me, it’s special because not many people decorate for Halloween. I think there should be more people who join in this festivity,” he said.
(This article was originally published by Contacto. Translated using an AI tool and edited by Aaron Grunwald.)
