Kasteel Foreest

Kasteel Foreest is a medieval castle ruin in Beverwijk surrounded by a pond, displaying structural elements typical of 13th-century defensive architecture. The structure shows clear asymmetry, with only one fully completed wing remaining while other sections display varying stages of decay.

The castle was founded around 1350 by the Van Foreest family, a prominent local nobility. Later it experienced various changes, particularly during the Napoleonic period when financial difficulties hampered further construction.

The site carries the name of a local influential family whose legacy shaped the area's identity. Today it stands as a protected monument, reflecting how medieval lords left their mark on the Dutch landscape through architecture.

The ruins are accessible via a converted pathway that now functions as a bicycle route connecting Gistelse Steenweg and Doornstraat. The location is easily reached by bike, making it convenient to include in a cycling trip around the area.

The castle was begun under the financial oversight of a Napoleonic chamberlain, which explains why only a single wing was ever completed. This incomplete construction gives the ruin its distinctive asymmetrical form and an unusual backstory.