Iwema-steenhuis, Medieval fortified house museum in Niebert, Netherlands
The Iwema-steenhuis is a medieval stone house featuring a fortified stone tower now integrated into a farmhouse structure. The building operates as a museum, showing how this old fortification was adapted and used as a working rural residence over the centuries.
The house was built around 1400 by the Iwema family and served wealthy farmers as a refuge during times of unrest in Groningen province. Its construction reflects the need for protection that existed in the region during that period.
The museum displays objects related to traditional Dutch crafts such as baking and house painting, showing how these skills were part of everyday rural life. Visitors can see the tools that craftspeople once used and understand their role in the community.
The museum is open from May through October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 13:30 to 17:00. Plan your visit during these months and times, and note that the site may have limited availability during spring and autumn months.
This structure is the last surviving medieval stone house of approximately 160 that once existed in Groningen province. Its survival makes it a rare example of 15th-century architecture from this region.
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