Ruin inspired by a castle ruin
The Ruin at ARTIS is not a real castle ruin. The building was recreated from the old Brederode castle in Santpoort, North Holland. The design came from A.F.J. Portielje (1886-1965), who was inspector of animals at ARTIS for almost 50 years. He reportedly brought stones from the old Brederode ruin to ARTIS himself, after which ARTIS staff built the Ruin.
In the early 20th century, ARTIS became an important centre for the emerging focus on nature and conservation in the Netherlands.
Focus on Dutch nature
The Ruin was a response to the growing interest in the Dutch landscape and the relationship between animals, plants and their environment. This new focus on Dutch nature was an important change for ARTIS, which in the 19th century mainly showed animals from distant countries.
From past to present
- built in
- 1921
- designed by
- A.F.J. Portielje
- used to live here
- various species of owls, small birds of prey and native waterbirds
- now living here
- Japanese cranes, little egrets
Nature's study theatre
The Ruin was meant to be a kind of open-air study theatre of nature. It was designed as a marsh landscape with land and water, with the Ruin serving as a backdrop. The whole thing resembled a castle ruin with a moat. On the other side of the Ruins were aviaries where visitors could see and study Dutch birds. Owls were often associated with Europe's past and were therefore often placed in castle-like buildings in zoos.
Renovation
In 2019, this national monument was renovated as an enclosure for Japanese cranes and little egrets. A large net was placed over the Ruin to give the animals more space. Now that owls are no longer the main residents, the name of the enclosure was changed from Owl Ruin to Ruin.
