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.
