Mt daughter just returned from Belgium and gave me this token commemorating Belgian Heritage. It is the castle Gravensteen in Gent. Here is what AI has to say about it. A Quick Dive into Gravensteen’s Story • Origins: The site was first fortified in the 9th century by Count Baldwin I to fend off Viking invasions. • Transformation: In 1180, Count Philip of Alsace rebuilt it into the stone castle we see today, inspired by crusader fortresses he encountered during the Second Crusade. • Architecture: It features a towering donjon (central keep), surrounded by a curtain wall with 24 projecting towers, a moat fed by the River Lys, and two baileys (upper and lower courtyards). • Roles Over Time: • Residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353 • Later served as a court, prison, mint, and even a cotton factory during the Industrial Revolution • Restoration: In the late 19th century, architect Joseph de Waele led a romanticized restoration, giving it a Gothic flair that wasn’t entirely historically accurate. • Modern Use: Today, it’s a museum and landmark, hosting exhibits on medieval justice, weaponry, and Ghent’s history.
Cool history. I noticed two things on the token. It's a souvenir of Belgium with English spelling and Ghent is misspelled. I hope your daughter had a great trip to the land of fantastic beer, chocolate and Breughel.
She does not drink, is a health nut so no chocolate, and she is not into art. I guess she just wondered around and shopped.
How do you spell the name of the capital and the largest city in East Flanders, Belgium - Ghent, Gent, or Gand? The right answer - all of them, depending on the language you're speaking. Ghent is a common English spelling, Gent - a Dutch and a German one, and Gand is a French one. But because the majority of people in Ghent speak Flemish (Belgian Dutch), we'll stick with Gent, a Dutch spelling.
