Castle of the Counts of Flanders: history and description of the structure

The castle of the counts of Flanders in Belgium is located in the ancient city of Ghent. He changed many times and was rebuilt at the request of changing hosts. During his long history, he managed to visit a fortress, a prison, a courthouse and even a textile factory.

Defensive Fortress

Gravensten - The castle of the counts of Flanders in Ghent is the most popular tourist attraction in the city. It is located in the old center of Ghent, near the place where the rivers Lea and Leia connect.

The first medieval building in this place was not at all thought of as a castle. It was a defensive fortress. She appeared during the reign of Count Baudouin I, nicknamed the Iron Hand - the founder of the Flanders House. The fortress was supposed to repel the attacks of Scandinavian tribes (Vikings), terrorizing Europe.

The fortress performed not only protective functions. She claimed military power and strength, was called to demonstrate the power and greatness of the rulers of Flanders. For a time, she served as the residence of the counts, changing her appearance with the change of the main person.

Reconstruction of the castle

The grandson of Baudouin, Arnulf the Great, having received the reins of government, decided to radically change the structure. In the tenth century, he turned the fortress into his own castle. In its place, there were various wooden buildings (a house for officials, a chancery, etc.). In the center on a small elevation was the main building for the count.

In the XII century, the central building of wood was replaced by a stone tower of three floors. Around the castle of the counts of Flanders there was a complete fortified wall. The lower level of the tower was slightly increased, having built up slopes and walled up all the windows. This served as additional protection against the invasion.

On each floor was located around the hall, which were connected together by stairs. On the second floor there was a ceremonial hall with fireplaces and large windows, where guests were received. At the very top were the rooms of servants and the inhabitants of the castle.

The castle acquired a modern look only in 1180, when Philip I of Alsace came to power. Twenty-five towers and a huge gate appeared on the fortress wall. The main building "grew" by another three floors. It was equipped with a place for the nobility (before that, the castle only organized receptions). The count's house housed kitchens, rooms of counts and honored guests. And the chambers themselves were distinguished by luxurious decoration and decorative details.

Lock device

The powerful fortress walls of the Castle of the Counts of Flanders were crowned with equally grandiose gates with the Jerusalem Cross, which Phillip of Alsace built. Further there were small internal gates, which led directly to the courtyard of the castle.

To the right of the gate was a building of count's stables, which later was used as a torture chamber. The gate was connected by a bridge to the entrance to the underground prison. In the event of an attack, the inhabitants of the castle could take refuge in it.

Inside the castle was a knight's hall, where they concluded treaties, conducted inauguration of counts and diplomatic receptions. For banquets and celebrations, there was a separate banquet hall.

In the north wing of the castle there was a count's house. Here there were rooms of Count and Countess, as well as kitchens. In the eastern part was the governor's house. Both wings were connected by stairs with an underground prison. It was a dark room with walls several meters thick.

The numerous roles of Gravensten

In the 14th century under Louis van Male the castle of the counts of Flanders ceased to serve as a residence for the rulers of the region. It housed the Ghent Mint, who moved here from the province of Brabant.

Later the courtyard was closed, and officials held meetings in the walls of the castle. All the rooms, including the counts, turned into office premises of the Council of Flanders (judicial body). Thus, the medieval castle became the supreme court of the region, where the most serious cases, appeals, legally approved decrees, decrees and even peace treaties. Here was also a prison for the convicts.

After 1778, the castle of the counts of Flanders was sold to a textile factory. The halls of the central tower turned into working premises, and the workers settled in adjacent buildings. In the front courtyard, additional houses were built, the prison became a spinning shop, the engine room was located in the count's house.

In the XIX century, the city authorities gradually began to redeem the castle in parts. Under the direction of Josef de Valais, the legendary Ghentian structure was returned to a form approximated to what was in the 12th century under Count Philipp.

Castle in our time

At the end of the 20th century, the Castle of the Flanders in Ghent had to be restored again. This time, architects and historians worked on it, trying to accurately recreate all the important details.

Now there is a museum in the building. It is dedicated to the period when courts were held in ancient walls, and all the premises were occupied by the Council of Flanders. It is the Museum of Justice and Weapons. It presents various instruments of torture, shackles, handcuffs and other tools used by the court and prison staff.

The castle of the counties of Flanders is open to visitors all year round. An exception is several festive dates: 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January. The entrance to it is paid, and you can see the landmark from 10 am to 6 pm.