Shell Grotto, Nienoord

The Shell Grotto Nienoord (Dutch: Schelpengrot) is a shell grotto built around the year 1700 at the behest of Anna van Ewsum, in a cupola in the southern gardens of the former borg on the Nienoord estate in Leek, in the northeastern Netherlands.

Quickly, her master's daughter had had enough of waiting and walked off, closing the treasury's door behind her.

When the jonkheer returned home, he discovered the girl, and punished her by locking her up indefinitely in the treasury.

Happy to be free once more, she ran towards the village, where, at her arrival, she looked at herself in the clear water.

She was so shocked by the sight of her old, haggard face, that she collapsed never to get up again.This is not the only shell grotto in the Netherlands.