Ruïne De Nijenbeek

Voorst Gem Voorst, Netherlands, Netherlands

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Ruïne De Nijenbeek in Voorst, Netherlands, is a 13th-century donjon built as a defensive fortress near the IJssel River, first mentioned in 1266 under Dirk van Nijenbeek to control river traffic amid regional power struggles.

Expanded in the 14th century with a walled courtyard and raised outer bailey against floods, it served as a residence from the 16th to 19th centuries before witnessing Duke Reinoud III's imprisonment by his brother in 1364 and later conflicts including 1586 capture by the Earl of Leicester.

Severely damaged on April 12, 1945, during Operation Cannonshot when Allied forces shelled it to dislodge German troops, the largely destroyed ruin was consolidated in 2016 and now supports rare bat species in its scenic floodplains, accessible by foot or bike.