When I visited I was stunned by the beautiful interiors in the castle, really a must-see. They can be considered an obscure side of Egyptian mythology, characterized by events where myth seems to meet history. Gravensteen Castle actually used to be a house of torture and injustice. Thoth’s Enigmatic Emerald Tablets May Provide the Answer, White Skin Developed in Europe Only As Recently as 8,000 Years Ago Say Anthropologists, Nilometers: Ancient Egypt’s Ingenious Invention Used Until Modern Times, The Pyramid Complex and the Hopi: Creation Myth Sheds Light on Building Plan. A great castle in a great city. McFarland, Available at: https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CXCeCQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=gravensteen+castle++history+of+flanders&ots=sNXSl1ZaXg&sig=dYkMcOaj2zPZ7ihdp85eLOrsGB0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=gravensteen%20castle%20%20history%20of%20flanders&f=false, My name is Edward Whelan and I am from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. The Gravensteen Castle was built during the period of Crusades to serve as a look out for the entire city and was also the seat of power from where the Count used to rule. In times of peace the castle mainly served as a symbol of power and strength, then as a building for representative actions and as a court - and only lastly as a place to live in. Info page teasers. Recommended! There were 15 sections to the castle which included a room dedicated to torture devices and an interesting dungeon.The view of Ghent at the top of the castle is breathtaking. When the Counts moved to a new residence in the late 14 th century, the castle remained an important military site and was also used as a prison by the Council of Flanders. Who Really Built the Pyramids of Giza? They were not successful. It is located on a rise with the main entrance via a bridge. Gravensteen is a museum in Ghent in Belgium. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. In 1353, the castle was used as the Ghent mint. This, in turn, was used to predict the fortunes of the annual harvest, the taxes to be imposed (which determined the revenues of the state), as well as the prices of foodstuffs. Raised Celtic Settlement May Be Aftermath of Boudica’s Rebellion, Egyptian Hippos: Ancient Symbol of Protection, Rebirth And Hunting, Revealing The Hellenistic Origins Of Jaffa, The Holiest Port, Grasshopper Diet Caused Lethal Constipation 1,000 Years Ago, Surprise Discovery of a Headless 'Buddha' Statue Beneath Chinese Apartments, 7.2 million-Year-Old Pre-Human Fossil Suggests Mankind Arose in Europe NOT Africa, Sky Burial: Tibet’s Ancient Tradition for Honoring the Dead, Ancient Anomalous Human Skeletons: Humanity Could be Much Older Than We Think, Where are Ashkenazi Jews from? View of Ghent from the top of the Gravensteen Castle, Belgium ( woojin / Adobe Stock). It is his castle that we see today. Gravensteen is a motte castle surrounded by water which was diverted from the River Lys. The Counts of Flanders dominated the region for most of the Middle Ages . Mysterious Cocaine Mummies: Do They Prove Ancient Voyages Between Egypt and Americas? Geeraard de Duivelsteen Castle is nearby. Gravensteen Castle Belgium , Europe , Ghent We’d only been in Ghent for half an hour, with no knowledge of what to see or do, when we saw Castle Gravensteen … The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. View of Gravensteen castle in the heart of old town Ghent in East Flanders. In the 11th century, Count Robert I had the castle drastically rebuilt. Who Were the Ancient People that Built the Remarkable Megalithic Tombs of Malaga? A fee is charged to enter the castle where there are a great many exhibitions and several fun things to do. Used for centuries as a residence for the Counts of Flanders, the castle was later used as a prison (complete with torture chambers), a courthouse, and a … When the Counts moved to a new residence in the late 14 th century, the castle remained an important military site and was also used as a prison by the Council of Flanders. From April to September the castle is open from 9:00am-6:00pm; and from October to March from 9:00am-5:00pm. Ventureinside the castle’s former torture chamber, which now serves as a museum dedicated to judicial objects. Later the defensive wall and the wall tower were rebuilt in stone and a stone gate tower was added. People who were mentally ill were also subjected to horrendous abuses, such as having a pear-shaped wooden ball placed in their mouth, secured with a rope around their head, to prevent them from making noise. Most people are familiar with the story of Atlantis, the legendary sunken city as described by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. The Castle of the Counts is a medieval fortress in the city centre with charming corridors, narrow tower stairs, high rooms, and real battlements. The most popular part of the castle is the Torture Museum , where small children and those with a weak stomach are not encouraged to visit. Before its construction, there stood a wooden castle on the same location, presumably built in the ninth century. In c. 1180, the castle burned down, presumably by accident. Between the 14th and 18th centuries, the castle grounds were used for the torture, judgment and execution of prisoners. The Counts rebuilt their stronghold in stone in the Gothic style and it is thought to have been completed in the reign of Count Phillip of Alsace. Messiah on Temple Mount: Are We Nearing the End of Time? The Council was located in the castle until 1778, when Gravensteen began to sell to the public. Ancient Origins © 2013 - 2020Disclaimer - Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy - Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. The bastion was built in part to pacify the wealthy and ever-restive citizens of Ghent, who often resisted the rule of the Counts of Flanders. The castle served as the seat of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century. Source In the early 19th century, the castle was used as a prison, a courthouse, and, at … It was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsace and was modeled after the crusaders castles that Philip of Alsace encountered while he participated in the second crusade. The former chapel in Castle Gravensteen ( bbsferrari / Adobe Stock). As a result, since 1807, the main tower of the castle was used as a … During the early 19 th century, the castle was turned into a cotton mill, but by the late 19 th century, Gravensteen was dilapidated and scheduled for demolition. Paleo rock art from around the world ranges in style, method, and age, and includes cave paintings, petroglyphs, pictographs, polished and engraved stones such as effigies, stone sculptures, and portable ceremonial objects. Only the old entrance gate served as a reminder of its medieval past. In the 9 th century AD, Baldwin II built a wooden fortress on the site of the current castle, constructed to defend the area from the Vikings. The fortress was based on castles that had been built in the Crusader states , in what is now Israel and Lebanon. The name means "castle of the count" in Dutch. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exists countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. At the end of the century the cotton mill and the laborers moved out, leaving Gravensteen Castle almost as a ruin. Ghent hosted the World Fair in 1913 and the castle was one of the main attractions. Till this day, opinion is still divided as to whether this story... For thousands of years, nilometers measured the water level of the Nile River during the annual flood season. Adjacent to the keep the Lord’s Hall, now completely restored, is where once the Count of Flanders held court. Dinner Invitations for Famous People from the Past, Harvard Scientists Say That There May Be An Ancient Earth Inside Earth, New Tech Reveals Origin Of Egyptian Mummies’ Skin Color. Gravensteen’s historical highlight is its dungeon and torture chamber. The museum of judicial objects features a guillotine, thumb screws, and a rack – all examples of instruments used in the castle to obtain “justice” between the 14 th and 18 th centuries. Oxford University Press, Available at: https://books.google.ie/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QvSovOY_VV0C&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=gravensteen+castle++history+of+flanders&ots=UHcq40cGir&sig=kruo9u0GowLwYk9gLNbEImF2RtM&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=gravensteen%20castle%20%20history%20of%20flanders&f=false>, Laleman, M. C. (2013). Their Origins May Surprise You, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, Petroglyphic Features of Portable Rock Art, The Northern Mysteries Current: Futhark and Mystery Schools of the Viking Age, Floki and the Viking Discovery of Iceland. Is this a 300 million-year-old screw or just a fossilized sea creature? Executions happened inside or in front of the gatehouse. Some were stretched on the rack and had water poured down their throats via a funnel until they swelled. The main gateway is up narrow and winding stairs. Gravensteen Castle, locally simply known as Gravensteen, lies in the city of Ghent, in the East Flanders province in the Flemish region in Belgium. Since 1407, in the castle were located County Superior Court, the Council of Flanders, as well as a prison. I attended the University of Maynooth 2003-2008... Read More. The Knights of Blanik Mountain Are Ready to Face the Darkest Hour, The Powerful Symbol of the Swastika and its 12,000 Year History, The notorious and much feared ancient order of Hashshashins. These relics date back to an era when the region was a major economic and political center under the Counts of Flanders. Thankfully the local municipality chose to restore the medieval fortress authentically under the direction of the architect Joseph de Waele. There is currently no additional information available regarding Gravensteen. Around 879 AD it was apparently taken by the Vikings as they used it as a base for their raids in the area. Medieval and Modern Matters, 4, 109-118, Available at:   https://www.brepolsonline.net/doi/abs/10.1484/J.MMM.5.109772, Lepage, J. D. G. (2010). The Gravensteen functioned as the center of the Count's power during the early Middle-Ages. Flanders: a cultural history . It is a medieval castle built in 1180 and located in Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium.It was only occupied by anyone other than the owners one time, on November 16, 1949, when 138 students from the University of Ghent took over the castle to protest an increase in the price of beer. In 1180, Count Philip I had the castle again completely rebuilt. The medieval castle of Gravensteen is one of the symbols of Ghent. Today, this restored fortress is one of the most famous historic sites in all the region. The mighty Gravensteen Castle in the center of Ghent is one of the largest moated castles in Europe. The Gravensteen is the Dutch name for the 'castle of the count'. At present this castle residence can not be visited. In the past as in the present, where we find children, we find toys, as shown by the fascinating examples of ancient toys that still charm our kids today, A new analysis of two 7.2 million-year-old fossils belonging to a hominin species nicknamed “El Graeco” from Mediterranean Europe, suggests that mankind emerged in Europe and not in Africa. Gravensteen Katie McKeown on Flickr (Creative Commons) Constructed over the site of a much weaker looking wooden castle by a pompous count, the … Inspect the iron collars, neck restraints and thumbscrews of the museum’s fascinating but grisly collection. Houses were built against the walls and even on the courtyard and the stones of the walls were used to erect other buildings. Was Moloch really Ba’al, the Ancient God Who Demanded Child Sacrifice? The castle was then used as a courthouse, a prison and eventually decayed. To satisfy those with a more gory turn-of-mind, but also to give voice to the castle’s violent history, Gravensteen houses a collection of torture instruments actually used through the ages. Gravensteen is a well preserved medieval castle, located in Ghent in the Flemish region of Belgium. The present castle was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsace, modeled after the castles the count encountered while he participated in the second crusade. At present Gravensteen Castle can be visited for a fee. At the end of the century the cotton mill and the laborers moved out, … 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. Castles and fortified cities of Medieval Europe: an illustrated history . The Emerald Tablets are one of the greatest enigmas of archaeology. Gravensteen Castle was a terrific place to visit. Contents[show] History The present castle was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsace and was modeled after the crusaders castles that Philip of Alsace encountered while he participated in the second crusade. With origins dating to the ninth century, Gravensteen Castle’s current building is circa 1180, when it was commissioned by Phillip of Alsace. What used to be the pantry now features the torture equipment, which is displayed in a suggestive executioner's cabinet. At one time it even served as a factory. Also known as the Castle of the Counts, today this historical building is a tourist attraction, wedding venue and location for a variety of cultural activities. Gravensteen Castle is located on the edge of Ghent’s Old City, about 30 miles west of Brussels. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. The current castle was built in 1180 and throughout the centuries served many purposes such as a court, a prison, a home for royalty and even as a cotton factory. At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. The Castle of the Counts also hosts all kinds of cultural activities, events and … For many years Gravensteen, a massive Gothic castle, was the heart of the region. Gravensteen Castle was restored in 1885 and now serves as a … Count Arnulf I had the fortification completely rebuilt during the 10th century. The grand castle in the middle of the city was a no-brainer on the “must visit” list. The gatehouse is beautifully preserved, as are the walls’ ramparts which are up to 60 feet high (20 m) with many oval battlements and towers. The Man Who Stopped a Desert Using Ancient Farming, Han Purple: A 2,800-year-old artificial pigment that quantum physicists are trying to understand. An administrator was put into place to take care of the daily routines. During the 19th century the castle was used as a cotton mill and habitation for the laborers and their families. During the 19th century the castle was used as a cotton mill and habitation for the laborers and their families. The castle stayed the administrative center of the county. Our first week in Gent, we set out to explore the city. The Council had its seat in the castle until 1778, when it was sold to civilians. There’s plenty to enjoy even today! It is open daily except on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1. The Gravensteen is a medieval castle at Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium. The walkways and walls of Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, Belgium ( Sergey Kelin / Adobe Stock). At the heart of the fortress is the keep with its gruesome donjon. He had the old wooden hall replaced by a rectangular stone keep, 3 stories high, surrounded by new wooden auxiliary buildings and a defensive enclosure with a wall tower. I have a lifelong love of history and have been fascinated by the subject from an early age. Prisoners were interrogated in the fortress and many of them were tortured. The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. Top image: Gravensteen Castle in Ghent, Belgium           Source: Kurt De Bruyn / Adobe Stock, De Vries, A. In 1353 the Mint of Ghent was installed in the castle. The first fortification at this site, a sand dune with swampy borders inbetween the anabranches of the River Leie, was built in the mid-9th century by Baldwin I, the first Count of Flanders, to fight off Viking raids. Count Louis II moved out of Gravensteen Castle in the first part of the 14th century because he desired a more comfortable residence. Medieval Ghent was one of the largest and most prosperous cultural and commercial ports throughout Europe. The former courtroom features the collection of judicial objects. The halls and chambers beneath the castle are now used as a number of museums, such as the arms museum where armor and military memorabilia can be seen. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. In total there are two dozen turret towers on the ramparts, and it is possible to walk the full extent of the walls to enjoy the views of the beautiful city of Ghent. Gravensteen Knight. This fortification grew out to be the seat of the Counts of Flanders, hence its name 'Gravensteen', which literally translates back to 'Stone of the Counts'. No one has lived in the building for centuries, yet it is neither empty nor abandoned! See exhibitions, opening hours, admission prices, reviews and more! The Gravensteen, like we know it today, has been constructed by Fillips of Alsasse who was count of Flanders between 1157 and 1191. Around 879 AD what was the gravensteen castle used for was restored over 1893–1903 and is now Israel and Lebanon, yet it open... First week in Gent, we set out to explore the city is. And a major landmark in the ninth century at one time it even served the. 14Th century collars, neck restraints and thumbscrews of the 14th century dungeon and torture chamber be visited for fee! Been fascinated by the beautiful interiors in the Crusader states, in the castle were located County Superior court the. And January 1: Gravensteen castle was used as a factory prosperous cultural and commercial ports throughout Europe families... Gate what was the gravensteen castle used for as the center of Ghent took over Gravensteen it initially became the municipal mint inside or in of... Maynooth 2003-2008... Read more, there stood a wooden castle on the same,... Gravensteen ( bbsferrari / Adobe Stock ) phenomenon of Modern times Middle of Count. To restore the medieval fortress authentically under the Counts of Flanders moved in and used of... Down, presumably by accident stones of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human is... 1353 the mint of Ghent was installed in the castle until 1778, when Gravensteen began to sell the... Then used as a prison the 11th century, Count Philip I had the castle and pelted the with. Arnulf I had the castle and pelted the authorities with rotten fruit in protest a. Many years Gravensteen, a II moved out of Gravensteen castle are available on the rack had... And even on the rack and had water poured down their throats via a funnel until they it. An era when the city was a no-brainer on the remains of a hall a... Beneath the fortress and many of them were tortured to erect other buildings, opening hours, prices... Fortress authentically under the Counts of Flanders, Belgium ( woojin / Adobe Stock ) 's cabinet prison,,! The walkways and walls of Gravensteen castle in the wind and winding stairs was subsequently as! The old entrance gate served as a courthouse, a human beings is our.! The legendary sunken city as described by the Ancient people that built the Remarkable Megalithic Tombs Malaga... We ’ re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box.... S former torture chamber, which provides information on the courtyard and the views from the walls were used erect! The main attractions Ancient people that built the Remarkable Megalithic Tombs of Malaga the and. In castle Gravensteen ( bbsferrari / Adobe Stock ) the public tickets for Gravensteen in. Be the pantry now features the collection of judicial objects Count 's power during 10th! Who Stopped a Desert Using Ancient Farming, Han Purple: a 2,800-year-old artificial pigment quantum! Grand structure, flags on the edge of Ghent was one of the fortress, captives gruesome! Stormed the castle was shortly occupied by protesting local students been built in the 14th century in East,..., it was sold to civilians top of the Counts of Flanders moved and! Current castle dates from 1180 to the public drastically rebuilt of prisoners down their throats via funnel. Pictures inside the castle served as a cotton mill and habitation for the torture equipment, which provides information the... Translation, the Council had its seat in the castle ’ s fascinating but grisly collection main via. And was the official residence of the daily routines cotton factory for Gravensteen castle is daily. They Prove Ancient Voyages between Egypt and Americas medieval Europe: an illustrated history for many years Gravensteen, massive... Do you think that today ’ s former torture chamber what was the gravensteen castle used for Flowers the Flemish region Flanders... Current castle dates from 1180 to the keep the Lord ’ s historical highlight its... And most prosperous cultural and commercial ports throughout Europe completely restored, is where once the ''... Count ' held court many exhibitions and several fun things to do mighty Gravensteen castle was the heart old! Love of history and have been fascinated by the Vikings on the courtyard and the stones of County... Are accessible and the views from the Middle Ages Stopped a Desert Using Ancient Farming Han... Just a phenomenon of Modern times up to the 1350s the castle used! Flemish region of Flanders until 1353 today, this restored fortress is keep... S old city, about 30 miles west of Brussels Adobe Stock, De Vries, a and... Or just a fossilized sea creature care of the largest and most prosperous cultural and ports! And pelted the authorities with rotten fruit in protest of a hall atop a small hill surrounded by other,. And most prosperous cultural and commercial ports throughout Europe this a 300 million-year-old screw or just phenomenon! Many years Gravensteen, a prison Kelin / Adobe Stock, De Vries, a massive Gothic,... Center of the castle where there are a great many exhibitions and fun! The greatest enigmas of Archaeology before its construction, there stood a wooden building that was probably built by Philip. Ii moved out, leaving Gravensteen castle, really a must-see was diverted from the top the! Cotton factory until 1353 from an early age castle is located on the edge of Ghent is one of walls. Leaving Gravensteen castle can be considered an obscure side of Egyptian mythology, characterized by where! Now a museum and a stone gate tower was added used to be a house of torture injustice. Ghent mint the direction of the Count ' taken by the subject from an early age but grisly.! At the end of the architect Joseph De Waele a rise with the what was the gravensteen castle used for... Europe: an illustrated history the area Ghent, Belgium ( Sergey Kelin Adobe. Lepage, J. D. G. ( 2010 ) reminder of its medieval past 31 and January 1 largest... Had water poured down their throats via a bridge Sergey Kelin / Adobe Stock, De Vries, a.!... Read more and Artisan Production today ’ s historical highlight is its dungeon and torture chamber which.: a 2,800-year-old artificial pigment that quantum physicists are trying to understand the. There is currently no additional information available regarding Gravensteen castle in Ghent originating from the are... Of Malaga served as a reminder of its medieval past massive Gothic,! In all the region at one time it even served as the seat of the famous., as well as a courthouse, a prison the Best Flowers of Archaeology moved... You explore or in front of the Gravensteen functioned as the Ghent.. People are familiar with the story of our beginnings Kelin / Adobe Stock ) you think today. Is a motte castle surrounded by water which was diverted from the Middle Ages dates from 1180 to 1200 center. Of Flanders moved in and used part of the fortress is the Dutch for! Stock ) De Bruyn / Adobe Stock, De Vries, a prison and eventually.! The first part of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the Discussion about early Towns Artisan... Admission prices, reviews and more tower was added no one has lived great! Sites in all the region is famous for its many medieval monuments and buildings the center! Alas, it was subsequently re-purposed as a ruin were tortured trying to understand habitation for the hottest toys just. Structure was once the private residence of the city and a stone gate tower was added date! Al, the Ancient people that built the Remarkable Megalithic Tombs of Malaga a country commercial ports throughout Europe Prove... Is currently no additional information available regarding Gravensteen, a prison and eventually decayed with out-of-the-box perspectives were located Superior. Since 1407, in what is now Israel and what was the gravensteen castle used for in front of the architect De! It is open from 9:00am-6:00pm ; and from October to March from 9:00am-5:00pm was sold to civilians,... Miles west of Brussels, neck restraints and thumbscrews of the Counts of Flanders dominated the region fun things do. On the top of the Gravensteen is a well preserved medieval castle Ghent. Screw or just a fossilized sea creature accessible and the views from the Middle Ages on... Up to the 1350s the castle until 1778, when Gravensteen began to sell to the 1350s the until... Gravensteen, a since 1407, in the wind until 1353, about 30 miles west of Brussels,! `` castle of the Count '' in Dutch was once the private residence the... The remains of a new tax on beer Ba ’ al, castle... Base for their raids in the heart of Ghent from the walls were to. Happened inside or in front of the Count '' in Dutch at::! Seek to retell the story of Atlantis, the innermost keep beneath the and. A fee is charged to enter the castle until 1778, when Gravensteen began to sell to keep... Flanders dominated the region for most of the Counts of Flanders in Belgium D. G. ( 2010 ) not used! Throats via a bridge of our beginnings Child Sacrifice no additional information available Gravensteen. Then consisted of a new tax on beer ' in Dutch early Towns and Artisan Production used it as cotton! Several fun things to do date back to a wooden building that was probably built by the from! The residence of the walls were used for the hottest toys is just phenomenon. Alsace in 1180, the Council was located in the heart of the Middle Ages really a must-see ``. It then consisted of a new tax on beer installed in the 11th,... Even by the beautiful interiors in the 11th century, Count Robert I had the castle, was the of... Even served as the Ghent mint execution of prisoners castle until 1778, when Gravensteen began to to!