Frauenfeld, Switzerland
13th century
Bischofszell, Switzerland
1419
Arbon, Switzerland
13th century
Diessenhofen, Switzerland
12th century
Salenstein, Switzerland
1546
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
11th century
Gottlieben, Switzerland
1251
Mammern, Switzerland
13th century
Amriswil, Switzerland
13th century
Hüttwilen, Switzerland
c. 1200
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
15th century
Stettfurt, Switzerland
13th century
Wigoltingen, Switzerland
16th century
Herdern, Switzerland
13th century
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.