Strasbourg, France
1731-1742
Karlsruhe, Germany
1715
Bruchsal, Germany
1720
Baden-Baden, Germany
1102
Rastatt, Germany
1700-1707
Ettlingen, Germany
18th century
Oppenheim, Germany
13th century
Baden-Baden, Germany
c. 1200
Hochburg, Germany
11th century
Schliengen, Germany
11th century
Bühl, Germany
c. 1200
Burkheim, Germany
13th century
Ebersteinburg, Germany
1100
Efringen-Kirchen, Germany
11th century
Jechtingen, Germany
365/13th century
Hecklingen, Germany
1282
The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.
In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.