The brink at the centre of Ruinen is the archetypal Drenthe village green — a broad open space of grass and trees where sheep and cattle once gathered before being driven to pasture. In Drenthe, the brink was the communal heart of village life for centuries, and Ruinen's is one of the best-preserved in the province. In summer, markets selling regional produce and crafts are held here.
St. Mary's Church stands on the edge of the brink, occupying the site where a Benedictine monastery was established around 1140. The current Romanesque-influenced church dates largely from the 13th and 14th centuries, with a tower that has stood as a landmark of the Drenthe plateau for 700 years. The interior is plain and well-proportioned, characteristic of the Dutch Reformed tradition. The church is open to visitors during summer months.