Arreskov was owned by the Crown and in 1241 Duke Abel inherited the castle from his father, King Valdemar Sejr. Some years later, the castle was captured and destroyed by his brother Erik Plovpenning. Arreskov was captured once again and destroyed in 1264 by King Erik Glipping. The present castle is third on the site, built in 1558. The castle mound is about 100 m x 35 m. The rectangular castle embankment is protected by a moat and circular outer ramparts. Today, the ramparts are partly destroyed and the castle embankment is overgrown. Not far from Gammel Arreskov stands another castle mound called Perdeholm. The castle and park is open by appointment.
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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.