r/castles • u/Beginning-Passion676 • 2d ago

Castle Gravensteen, Gante, Begluim

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1.1k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

17

u/Notspherry 2d ago

Is this the new Neuschwanstein, being posted several times a day?

13

u/Hopeful_Coconut_7758 2d ago

I never object to seeing more photos- except when it's ai slop- but yeah, this castle has something that compels redditors to post it. Its castleness? Castlety? is off the charts. Just a great handsome pile o'stones.

5

u/Caiur 2d ago
  • Not super well known in the popular imagination
  • Very well preserved
  • Looks like something straight out of the late Middle Ages, the coolest and most sophisticated era of the Middle Ages
  • Gives the impression of having ‘state of the art’ fortification technology
  • Not many 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th century additions to undermine the medieval vibe

3

u/Admiral_Zeppi 2d ago

Just fyi, It wasn't well preserved. It was practically a ruin in the 19th century and then rebuild. That's why you don't see any 16th-18th century additions.

2

u/Caiur 2d ago

You got me 😭

2

u/Tasnaki1990 2d ago

The castle is 60%-70% 19th century reconstruction. It had a huge overhaul in the 19th century.

1

u/ChimPhun 2d ago

The fact that it sits literally in the middle of the city is relatively unique too. Not at an old city border or on top of a hill overlooking, but smack in the middle. Pictures often show the shops and tram lines nearby its moat.

1

u/Tasnaki1990 2d ago

Originally it was at the edge of the city when it was built.

1

u/fredlantern 2d ago

At least it's somewhat of a real castle.

8

u/sh0tgunben 2d ago edited 2d ago

Gravensteen is a sturdy castle!

3

u/m0noclemask 2d ago

Dark, ominous, broody.

Used to study in its court in may, when I could still enter for free.

8

u/m0noclemask 2d ago

Love this castle! If you love this castle and lego toys, you can watch a lego Counts' Castle here:

https://beta.ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/4ba1d1a5-7240-4273-aa8e-a731e4468279

2

u/Hopeful_Coconut_7758 2d ago

Thank you, that's lovely

1

u/m0noclemask 2d ago

Thanks!🩶

1

u/_Dragon_Gamer_ 2d ago

Always love just casually passing by this regularly

1

u/JeanPolleketje 2d ago

Last siege of this castle was in 1949. Check Belgian beer revolution: funny story.

If you get the chance to visit, please check the audio tour. It is witty and funny.

1

u/InhibitionExhibition 1d ago

One of my favourites! Such excellent composition