Toren van de walmuur bij Kasteel Zwanenburg te Gendringen before 1900

This photograph captures the tower of the ramparts at Zwanenburg Castle in Gendringen. The image was created anonymously by Monumentenzorg, a Dutch heritage organization dedicated to preserving historical sites. In this quiet image, we're invited to consider the layers of history embedded in this structure. Its weathered facade tells a story of time and strife. What does it mean to preserve the past? Especially one that might carry different meanings for different groups? Is it a celebration of heritage, or a reminder of power structures and social hierarchies? Photographs like this, taken by preservation organizations, often aim to freeze a moment in time, inviting reflection on the social and political forces that shape our environment. The melancholic atmosphere of the photograph evokes a sense of longing for a past that is both present and irrevocably lost.