De Donjon, Medieval tower remains at Valkhof Park, Nijmegen, Netherlands
De Donjon was a reconstruction of a medieval tower at Valkhof Park standing 33 meters tall with thick tufa stone walls and strategic viewing points throughout. The structure provided access via elevators and stairs to an observation deck overlooking the city.
De Donjon was originally built in the 12th century by Frederick I as part of the Valkhof Citadel, standing on foundations from Charlemagne's palace. The original was destroyed, but a temporary reconstruction stood from 2005 until the project ended in 2018.
The reconstructed tower became a gathering point for the community during its time, as many residents visited a piece of their city's lost heritage. This drew locals and travelers interested in understanding Nijmegen's medieval roots and civic pride.
Visitors could climb by elevator or stairs to reach the viewing platform for city views. The temporary structure used extensive scaffolding materials and offered accessible ways to reach the observation deck.
A referendum in 2006 showed strong local support for permanent reconstruction, yet the project was canceled in 2018 due to archaeological costs and regulatory challenges. This unexpected reversal made the temporary tower a notable part of Nijmegen's recent history.
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