Shell Grotto

About this activity.

Around 1700, Anna van Ewsum and her husband George built a shell grotto in the garden. Shells from all over the world were incorporated into it; it is truly a showpiece! The additions have disappeared, but the shell grotto itself remains. This shell grotto is one of only three still existing in the Netherlands. It is located in the garden of Museum Nienoord.

The story goes that a maid was curious about the treasures the count kept in his garden house. When she went to investigate, she discovered chests full of gold and jewels. But she was caught… Her punishment was confinement in the garden house, where she had to decorate all the walls with shells. After twenty years, she was finally finished. When she saw her reflection in the water of the pond, she was so shocked by her gray hair and old face that she dropped dead. What do you think, is this a true story?

Museum Nienoord.

Verhalen over rijkdom, macht, veen en verval. Rijtuigen, arrensledes, een schelpengrot, kunst én een borg. Museum Nienoord heeft het allemaal! Gelegen op het landgoed dat al vanaf 1520 een spannende geschiedenis kent. Ga met ons op reis en ontdek de kracht van vooruitgang. Een avontuur vol verrassingen en onverwachte paden. Een plek waar de Groninger adel zich graag liet zien. En velen werk en beschutting vonden. Wat is jouw bestemming?

Location.

Museum Nienoord
Nienoord 1
9351AC Leek
tel 0594 512 260
www.museumnienoord.nl/