Flanders is more and more a touristic hotspot for visitors from all over the world. People from this Dutch-speaking region do not have to wander far to find historical treasures. In most cities, you can admire even now the prestigious buildings that are a constant reminder of a history to cherish. In the busy streets from the vibrant cities, you can find all the footprints of a culture that once dominated the European continent. In the cities of Flanders, historical architecture and artistic treasures are omnipresent.
Bruges is in this region a real fairytale-like place. More than 60% of this city is still as it was in medieval times. Buildings and art treasures protected by law and will remain the same for the generations to come. This unique town is an instant time machine where the people of today still can imagine how life was centuries ago. The ‘Venice of The North’ as Europeans call it is world famous and flocks millions of tourists every year from The United States until Japan. Lately, the great city of Bruges gets competition from another Flemish City: Ghent.
Ghent can boast of a similar cultural and historical importance and has many assets to overwhelm any domestic or foreign visitor. Here the buildings are as impressive as Bruges and the art collection it is housing is simply priceless. In all the splendor of Ghent, where I grew up, one building, in particular, got my undying fascination: The Gravensteen.
The Building
The Gravensteen is a medieval castle in the center of Ghent, it literally means in Flemish (The language almost identical as Dutch): ‘The house of the Count’. It is the best-kept medieval fortress in Northern Europe and it still is in mint condition. This castle is not in ruins but has a majestic appearance that even in this modern city dominates the streets. It is a perfect reflection of the glory and chivalry from the days long passed. When you have a sprinkle of imagination, you can easily imagine knights and soldiers walking in and out the fortress. Nobility and women of the upper classes having parties near the waters surrounding the castle. Perhaps you can even imagine the battle sounds all around the protective walls. This is no doubt the crown jewel of the city of Ghent today. The old residence of the Counts of Flanders is now a truthful museum where you can have the impression to walk in the medieval times.
History
Count Philip from Alsace gave the order to build the castle during his participation in the Second Crusade in 1180. He was an intellectual and a formidable warrior. Flanders became under his reign a center of military, economic and political power. The Gravensteen was a perfect symbol for the might of the Count and Flanders. He died in Palestine during the Third Crusade.
The Gravensteen remained the official residence of the following counts of Flanders until the 14th century. After that, it functioned as a prison, a Royal Court and even a cotton mill. At the end of the 19th century, that castle was in ruins. In 1885, the city of Ghent bought the Gravensteen. The renovation and historical restoration began immediately. The castle today is the perfect restoration of the original fortress.
Inside you can witness today all facts of medieval life with the Royal stables, The Throne Chamber, sleeping quarters for the soldiers, battle towers and a real torture chamber and dungeon. On the high walls, you get a panoramic view over the city of Ghent. You can easily imagine how the Count of Flanders looked upon his county. The richly filled museum with lots of artifacts and items from the times where knights were living inside the castle’s walls will astonish you. Various skeletons are visible to the public as well as an armory and other historical findings.
When in Belgium do visit The Gravensteen, I can assure you that it will linger in your memory as a wonderful visit and almost as a time traveling experience.