Gravensteen van Gent

The imposing Castle of the Counts, built in 1180, now looms up in front of you. Nowhere else in the world will you find such a massive fortress in the centre of a city. Anyone who visits Ghent without going inside deserves the thumbscrews, the dungeon or perhaps even the guillotine (last used in 1861), all of which are on display inside. While you stand looking at the castle from the count’s bailey, you might almost forget you were in the 21st century. But Ghent is a living city that not only preserves its historical heritage, but also has an eye to the future. One example is the giant spider’s web, a remnant of an international art event, and like the fortress itself made to stand the test of time.

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The original castle on the place of the Gravensteen was built around 868 by Count Baldwin I, rebuilt and expanded by the Count of Flanders around 1180. The Gravensteen was the seat of the Council of Flanders. Inside, you can visit the torture chambers (complete with thumbscrews, a rack, executioners swords etc). You can see the replacement sword here of the statue of Artevelde on the Friday Market. That was stolen a few years ago, but was found back.

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At the end of the 18th century, the Council of Flanders decided to leave the castle Gravensteen. It was sold in public for a very little amount.

This was the period where the industrialisation took off, and the first factories were located in existing buildings. As well cloisters, as empty castles were on the target list. The castle became a spinning-mill. Around the castle, small houses were attached.

After an explosion in the factory, the building became unstable, and it was decided to leave the castle. There was even a plan to completely demolish this building. But luckily they decided to fix the whole complex and gave back its appearance of the 12th century.

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The Lievekaai is located North of the castle “Gravensteen”. De Lievekaai is Ghent’s second oldest harbour. The oldest one is the harbour at the Graslei.

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The “Gravensteen” or Castle of the Counts holds an assembly room with a magnificent stone fireplace and a gruesome collection of torture instruments.

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• Read information (31 text(s)) in Dutch

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Overview of the most popular walking and hiking routes near Gravensteen van Gent

Wandelen in Gent

Gent

1.96 km | Language: NL |

Deze wandeling wordt u aangeboden door Stad Gent. Ze doet u in een tweetal uur kennismaken met de historische kuip, zoals de historische binnenstad van…   More info

Walking in Ghent

Ghent

1.96 km | Language: EN |

The old centre of the city of Ghent is known as the 'kuip', and this walk will take you around most of it in two…   More info

Gand, Petillant d'authenticite

Gand

1.96 km | Language: FR |

En deux bonnes heures, cette promenade vous fait découvrir la 'fosse' (de kuip), comme on appelle le centre historique de la ville de Gand. C'est…   More info

Overview of the most popular cycle routes near Gravensteen van Gent

Fietsroute in Gent

Gent

9.29 km | Language: NL |

Deze fietsroute, gemaakt door Vizit brengt je langs de meest interessante plaatsen van Gent en omstreken.   More info

ManZktVrouw fietsroute

44.9 km | Language: NL |

Deze fietsroute voert je langs het decor en de plaatsen die gebruikt werden in de prachtige Vlaamse film 'ManZktVrouw', waar de acteurs Jan Decleir, Wim…   More info

Gent gezien door het archief van de Universiteitsbibliotheek Gent

16.1 km | Language: NL |

Route die je aan de hand van het uniek beeldarchief van de Universiteitsbibliotheek Gent door de stad loodst. INFO: De route start en eindigt aan…   More info

Overview of the most popular car and motorcycle routes near Gravensteen van Gent

RouteYou bereiken met de auto

5.64 km | Language: NL |

Routebeschrijving hoe je RouteYou kan bereiken met de auto.   More info

Moto bestemmingen route

0.393 km | Language: NL |

Deze technische route bevat een collectie van moto-bestemming-POI's die als knooppunt in een motorroutenetwerk kunnen worden gebruikt   More info

rout2

6.14 km | Language: EN |

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