Arenfels Castle dates originally from the 13th century and was converted as Renaissance palace in the late 16th century. The castle got its current neo-Gothic appearance in 1849-1858. During the battles for Remagen Bridge in the Second World War, the building fabric was considerably damaged. Most of the war damage has been repaired today. The beautiful interiors of the castle have been restored, and the imposing cast-iron staircase from the Sayner ironworks is particularly worth seeing.Arenfels Castle, with its location in the middle of the vineyards, is a romantic venue for weddings, family celebrations and corporate events.
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.