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Medieval fortress transformed into an industrial complex offering a fascinating visit with a really funny audioguide.
The Gravensteen, or Castle of the Counts, impresses when you visit Ghent. This medieval crenellated fortress from another era, with a majestic three-storey stone keep, encircled by a flooded moat, overlooks the center of Ghent, its frenetic streetcars and 21st-century boutiques. A visit here promises a journey back to the time of Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, who had the castle built in 1180. Since 2018, the castle's history has been told in a very funny audio guide (included in the price), which makes the visit exciting thanks to Ghent humorist Wouter Deprez. In a hurry? There's a 2nd tour with the castle's top 5.
philippe d'Alsace wanted to "show who was in charge", to demonstrate his power, inspired by the fortresses he visited during his second crusade to Jerusalem. An impressive hall of arms and armor, a crypt, a dungeon, dungeons, a stable and the residence rooms of the Counts of Flanders, who lived there until the 15th century. There is also an important collection of torture instruments. From the end of the 18th century, the château was sold to private individuals and transformed into an industrial complex: a cotton mill and workshops. Its outbuildings housed some 50 working-class families. Baron de Maere saved it from scheduled demolition when it was in a state of complete disrepair. It was restored thanks to the 1913 Universal Exhibition in Ghent.
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Opening time and information on GRAVENSTEEN - CASTLE OF THE COUNTS
Open 7/7, 10am-6pm. Adults €13; under-19s €2.70, under-12s free. Visioguide for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
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