Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)

Gravensteen, the Castle of the Counts, stands at Sint-Veerleplein 11 in the centre of Ghent, in East Flanders, Belgium. The present fortress dates from 1180, when Count Philip of Alsace built it as a show of power over the unruly merchants of Ghent. It is surrounded by a moat and its thick curtain walls, towers and keep are among the best-preserved medieval castles in the Low Countries. Over the centuries it served as the counts' residence, a courthouse and prison, and later a cotton mill, before restoration in the early 20th century returned it to something like its medieval form. Visitors cross a drawbridge and walk through the gatehouse into an inner courtyard, then explore the keep, the count's living quarters, the great hall, and the dungeons. A museum within displays arms and armour, including a guillotine blade and a collection of torture instruments that fascinates many visitors, and some exhibits explain the medieval legal system. An audio guide with humorous narration is included and runs through about twenty stops. The highlight is the climb up the spiral stairs to the ramparts, where the view takes in Ghent's three towers, the Korenmarkt and the surrounding medieval lanes. A full visit takes about one and a half hours. The best photo angles are from the front bridge looking at the gatehouse reflected in the moat, and from the rooftop looking over the old town. Crowds build from late morning, especially in summer and on school holidays, so a weekday morning visit is much more relaxed. The stairs are steep, uneven and narrow in places, and winter days can be cold and slippery in the open sections. The nearby Patershol district, with its cobbled streets and restaurants, is a natural place to continue after the castle.