Castle Gravensteen |
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The first to build fortifications in this area was Arnulf I, Count of Flanders (918-965). A building was built here in the form of a wooden bastion, naturally protected by swamps and the Leia River. At the beginning of the 11th century, the central wooden building was replaced by a traditional stone building.
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Limestone from Tournai was used for construction. The castle was luxuriously furnished for those times. It had a grand staircase, skylights, fireplaces and latrines, which were rare at that time. It probably also had a tower. It is not known who was responsible for this stage of construction. It is assumed that it was Count Baldwin IV (938-1035), or Count Baldwin V (1035-1067). Construction coincided with the reorganization of the County of Flanders, as a result of which Gravensteen Castle became the seat of a viscount.
A hundred years later, during the reign of Theodoric of Alsace (1128-1168), a structure in the shape of a conical castle was built here, i.e. a motte and bailey residence very popular in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was characterized by a fortification on an embankment in the shape of a truncated cone, surrounded by a moat, and a closed courtyard. In 1176 a fire destroyed both the main castle and the buildings in the courtyard.
The history of the construction of Gravensteen Castle
The Latin inscription above the main entrance says that the castle was built in 1180 by Count Philip of Alsace (1168-1191). The construction of an impressive stone castle was intended to restore the authority of the county. The hill was raised and widened so that the center of the construction was at a height of 30 meters.
The castle had two underground and two above-ground floors with ceilings decorated with magnificent barrel vaults. The castle's defense points and the gate were also strengthened. A stone sint-Veerlekerk church was built in the courtyard and consecrated on June 30 1216.
The castle had two underground and two above-ground floors with ceilings decorated with magnificent barrel vaults. The castle's defense points and the gate were also strengthened. A stone sint-Veerlekerk church was built in the courtyard and consecrated on June 30 1216.
In the 14th century, Gravensteen Castle was the seat of the Council of Flanders, the Supreme Court of Flanders, the Feudal Court of Oudburg and the Bench of Regional Councilors. Crimes of the highest caliber were tried here. New buildings for officials were built, and in the basement there were dungeons for convicts and torture chambers. Important receptions and weddings, as well as prestigious meetings of the Order of the Golden Fleece, were also held in the castle.
In 1353 a mint was established here. However, in 1491 Ghent lost its privilege of minting coins due to its rebellious attitude against Maximilian Habsburg (1459-1519). Today, only the name of Geldmunt Street reminds us of the operation of the mint in this place.
In 1353 a mint was established here. However, in 1491 Ghent lost its privilege of minting coins due to its rebellious attitude against Maximilian Habsburg (1459-1519). Today, only the name of Geldmunt Street reminds us of the operation of the mint in this place.
Reconstruction of the ruined Gravensteen Castle
W XVIII wieku Gravensteen utracił funkcję centrum administracyjnego. Zamek kupił inżynier Jean Baptiste Brismaille i przekształcił go w kompletną przędzalnię bawełny. Istniejące budynki przeznaczył na magazyny bawełny i pokoje dla pracowników. W drugiej połowie XIX wieku przędzalnia, z powodu podupadania zamku, przeniosła się na obrzeża miasta, a zamek przeznaczono do rozbiórki. Teren planowano wyrównać i wybudować tutaj dwie drogi. Na szczęście projektu nigdy nie zrealizowano.
In 1865, Ghent, together with the Belgian government, began the process of rebuilding this magnificent monument. In the year 1888 the dismantling of all buildings not built of Tournai stone began. This revealed the impressive remains of a medieval castle.
Archaeologist Joseph De Waele decided to rebuild the Gravensteen Castle from the times of Philip of Alsace. In 1907 the rebuilt castle was opened to visitors. Nowadays, it is one of the greatest attractions of Ghent. In the castle you will find a weapons museum and a justice museum. The weapons museum's collection is one of the largest in Flanders. Visitors will also see a torture chamber with very sophisticated devices used in the Middle Ages.
Po zwiedzeniu mrocznego wnętrza zamku, wraz z częścią muzealną, docieramy na szczyt tej wspaniałej budowli. Spacerując po murach, ujrzymy przepiękną panoramę Gandawy, porównywalną jedynie z tą widzianą z dzwonnicy. Widać stąd trzy imponujące wieże Gandawy: katedrę św. Bawona, dzwonnicę i kościół św. Mikołaja. Przy ładnej pogodzie możemy podziwiać wspaniałe widoki w promieniu wielu kilometrów.
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Address:
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Ticket price:
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Opening hours:
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Sint-Veerleplein 11
9000 Gent |
13 euros
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Monday-Sunday 10.00-18.00
Last input 60 min. before close |