Gravensteen Castle — Historical Castles , Belgium, Amazing history
This interesting castle lies in the city of Ghent, in the East Flanders province in the Flemish region in Belgium and was CONSTRUCTED OVER THE SITE OF a much weaker looking wooden castle by a pompous count. The fairytale fortress known as Gravensteen became a house of torture and injustice and was almost torn down later on due to the memory of those atrocities. The Gravensteen is a medieval castle at Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium. The current castle dates from 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum and a major landmark in the city.
While a much smaller castle existed on the site prior to the construction of Gravensteen, it was the ostentatious Count Philip of Alcase who created the lovely, if imposing fortress that remains today. The fort was originally constructed as a symbol of the power of the Count of Flanders, it was Philip, who had fought in the Crusades and seen a number of grand castles in his travels, who insisted that the walls and towers of the castle be built to such a height that their very presence would let everyone know just how much money and influence their position held.
The origins of the Gravensteen date to the reign of Arnulf I(called the Great, he was the first Count of Flanders). The site, which sat between two branches of the Lys river, was first fortified around the year 1000, initially in wood and later in stone. This was soon transformed into a motte-and-bailey castle which burnt down in around 1176.
The current castle dates to 1180 and was built by Philip of Alsace (commonly known as Philip of Alsace, he was count of Flanders from 1168 to 1191. During his rule Flanders prospered economically. He took part in two crusades and died of disease in the Holy Land) on the site of the older fortification. It may have been inspired by crusader castles witnessed by Philip during the Second Crusade. As well a protective citadel, the Gravensteen was intended to intimidate the burghers of Ghent who often challenged the counts’ authority. It incorporates a large central donjon, a residence and various smaller buildings. These are surrounded by a fortified, oval-shaped enceinte lined with 24 small échauguettes. It also has a sizeable moat, fed with water from the Lys.
From 1180 until 1353, the Gravensteen was the residence of the Counts of Flanders. The decision to leave was taken by Louis of Male (also known as Louis of Male, a member of the House of Dampierre, was count of Flanders, Nevers and Rethel from 1346 as well as count of Artois and Burgundy from 1382 until his death) who transferred the court to the nearby Hof ten Walle.
While the barbaric activities were abandoned as the area became more civilized in the ensuing centuries, the site never lost the taint of the horrors that were once perpetrated within its walls. By the end of the 1800s, the structure had become unsound and its reputation was doing nothing for it in the court of public opinion, thus Gravensteen was nearly razed.
Luckily a preservation group realized the architectural and (however horrible) historical importance and managed to save the castle. Today, the site has been greatly restored still retaining a decorative moat on three sides, and is open to the public, even featuring a torture museum, possibly as some sort of mea culpa. Despite its grim past, Gravensteen is still one of the most stunning historic castles remaining in the world.
Let’s learn some more about this interesting place:
In 1180, Count Philip I had the castle again completely rebuilt. It is his castle that we see today. He built the almost 30 meters high keep, the barbican in front of the gate tower and the defensive wall with its 24 protruding turrets.
Count Louis II moved out of Gravensteen Castle in the first part of the 14th century because he desired a more comfortable residence. The castle stayed the administrative center of the county. In 1353 the Mint of Ghent was installed in the castle. In 1407 also the Council of Flanders moved in and used part of the castle as a prison.
In later centuries parts of the moat silted up and houses were built against the outer castle walls, hiding the castle from view until around 1900. The Council had its seat in the castle until 1778, when it was sold to civilians. During the 19th century the castle was used as a cotton mill and habitation for the laborers and their families. At the end of the century the cotton mill and the laborers moved out, leaving Gravensteen Castle almost as a ruin.
In 1894 a thorough restoration followed turning the castle back into the appearance the architects thought it had during the time of Count Philip I. It then became a tourist spot. In 1949 the castle was shortly occupied by protesting local students. In recent decades it was again restored twice.
In 1949, a group of college students from Ghent seized the castle and occupied it in protest of an increase in local beer taxes. The students pelted police besieging the castle with fruit. Eventually, they were removed from the premises. Due to popular support for the students from townsfolk, nobody was charged for the boozy rebellion.
Interesting facts:
Flanders’ quintessential 12th-century stone castle comes complete with moat, turrets and arrow slits. It’s all the more remarkable considering that during the 19th century the site was converted into a cotton mill. Meticulously restored since, the interior sports the odd suit of armour, a guillotine and torture devices. The relative lack of furnishings is compensated for with a handheld 45-minute movie guide, which sets a tongue-in-cheek historical costumed drama in the rooms, prison pit and battlements.
You can see how you can visit this interesting place here: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belgium/flanders/ghent/attractions/gravensteen/a/poi-sig/444551/358712
Or you can enjoy more of our stories: https://historicalcastles.com/edinburgh-castle/
Originally published at https://historicalcastles.com on August 27, 2020.
