Brussels, Belgium
17th century
Bruges, Belgium
c. 1240
Bruges, Belgium
11th century
Antwerp, Belgium
1561-1564
Antwerp, Belgium
1352
Ghent, Belgium
1313
Leuven, Belgium
1425-1497
Bruges, Belgium
1240
Mechelen, Belgium
c. 1200
Ypres, Belgium
1304/1933
Spa, Belgium
14th century
Mechelen, Belgium
14th century
Antwerp, Belgium
1576
Aalst, Belgium
1225
Tournai, Belgium
1188
Mons, Belgium
1662-1669
Leuven, Belgium
1234
Tournai, Belgium
12th century
Mechelen, Belgium
1560
Brussels, Belgium
1898
The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.
The remains of the central tower are up to 3.6 metres high, and the stone walls are up to 4.1 metres thick.