Kasteel Selwerd, Medieval castle ruins in Groningen, Netherlands.
Kasteel Selwerd is a fortified structure from the medieval period near Zuidhorn, now visible only as a series of grass-covered mounds between a canal and road. The underground archaeological layers remain protected beneath the surface, viewable from a tower located at Laan naar het Klooster.
The site began in the 12th century as a Benedictine monastery and suffered severe damage during military conflict in 1568. This destruction led to the eventual decline of the religious community that had inhabited it.
The site served as a double monastery with both monks and nuns living together, a shared spiritual arrangement visible in its unusual ground layout. This mixed monastic community shaped how the buildings were arranged across the land.
Visit the viewing tower at Laan naar het Klooster to observe the mounds clearly, as this vantage point offers the best view of the site. The grounds are accessible on foot year-round and require no special arrangements to explore.
The area known as the Huppels may derive its name from the monastery itself, with old documents hinting at treasures hidden on the grounds. This notion of buried valuables beneath the mounds has persisted in local memory for centuries.
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