Mariakerk
Ruinen, NL
Historic church with tower. The Mariakerk was built around 1140 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church was part of the oldest monastery in Drenthe, the Benedictine Abbey of Ruinen. Because Ruinen became too busy, the monastery was moved to De Wijk on the Dickninge estate in 1325. After that, the church in Ruinen was used as a parish church. On the southeast side of the church, two bricked-up arches and a round window are visible, on that spot Jan van Ruinen had a chapel built. He was buried there after his death.