Veytaux, Switzerland
12th century
Morges, Switzerland
1286
Lausanne, Switzerland
1397-1425
Nyon, Switzerland
13th century
Avenches, Switzerland
13th century
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
1260-1270
Grandson, Switzerland
13th century
Aigle, Switzerland
13th century
La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland
13th century
Rolle, Switzerland
1264
L'Isle, Switzerland
1696
Prangins, Switzerland
1732
Saint-Saphorin, Switzerland
12th century
Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland
1425
Aubonne, Switzerland
12th century
Clarens, Switzerland
13th century
La Sarraz, Switzerland
1049
Oron-le-Châtel, Switzerland
13th century
Lucens, Switzerland
12th century
Les Clées, Switzerland
11th 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.