Medina de las Torres Castle origins date back to the 14th-16th centuries. It was built on a low hilltop by the Order of Santiago in the 14th century as the headquarters of the Encomienda de Medina de las Torres.
In spite of having been restored on a number of occasions, this fortress is in quite a deteriorated condition. Even so, you can still appreciate the remains of the masonry ramparts, with a ditch and towers at the sides for the defence of this elliptically shaped castle. The entrance is on the southeast side, protected by two square towers. The main access to the interior was flanked by one circular tower and another which was semicircular. In this area there were storerooms, stables and a chapel, as well as a water cistern.
References: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.