Ter Horst Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Rhenen, Netherlands
Ter Horst is a medieval castle site in Rhenen with foundations of tuff stone that remain buried beneath the ground, revealing the extent of the original structure. Today it appears as grassland between two roads, where the underground remains document the polygonal shape of the former fortification.
Bishop Godfried of Rhenen built the fortress as a wooden structure in the 12th century, but it was destroyed during conflicts with Gelre. Following its demolition, the stone materials were repurposed and transported elsewhere for new constructions.
The fortress served as an administrative hub for the bishop, where military personnel and clergy lived and worked together in a shared defensive role. This blend of secular and religious authority shaped how the place functioned as a community center.
The site is now open grassland that can be visited freely, though no buildings or surface structures remain to explore. Visitors should know that all remains lie completely underground and are only identifiable through the flat landscape and any informational markers.
After its destruction, the valuable stones from this fortress were sold and used to construct another major fortification in the region. This turned the ruined castle into a material source for building an important new defensive structure.
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