[2024 Ghent Attraction] Travel Guide for Gravensteen (Updated Nov)

Belgium Classic Self-Driving Tour - A romantic journey through history and culture

🌎In the heart of Europe, Belgium is like a shining pearl, waiting for every traveler to uncover its mystery. Traveling to Belgium by car is not only a visual feast, but also a spiritual baptism. Walk through ancient streets, visit medieval churches, taste authentic food, and experience the unique romance and style of Belgium. Let’s embark on this classic self-driving tour of Belgium and experience the beauty of the blend of history and culture. ⭐️Route recommendations 🚩Brussels→Ghent→Antwerp→Brussels 🌼Daily schedule DAY1: Art Mountain-Atomium-St. Hubert Arcade-50th Anniversary Park DAY2: St. Michael's Bridge-Count's Castle-Ghent Art Museum-St. Bavo's Cathedral DAY3-4: Antwerp Grand Place-Rubens House-Riverside Museum-Antwerp Zoo-Royal Antwerp Art Museum-Saint Anne Beach-Plantin-Moretus Museum DAY5: Saint-Michel and Saint-Gudula Cathedral-Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium-Belgian Comics Center 🌸The self-driving mileage is about 170 kilometers. The recommended travel time is 4-5 days. It is suitable for tourists who like humanities and history. 💖Overview of attractions ✔️Mont des Arts: A historical site located in the center of Brussels, it has now become an art district with a strong artistic temperament. Walking around the Mont des Arts, in addition to visiting museums, art galleries and other attractions, the unique viewing position allows you to have a bird's-eye view of the charming city of Brussels. ✔️St. Michael's Bridge: a famous bridge in Ghent. Standing on the bridge and seeing the guild buildings of Ghent across the Les River, including three churches and the castle in the distance, is one of the best places to photograph the city. ✔️Antwerp Grand Square: The city center of Antwerp is located and is one of the important landmarks of Antwerp. There are many Flemish-style buildings around, and the ground floors of some buildings are now used as restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. It is a good choice to sit down and have a rest or buy souvenirs. ✔️St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral: This is a Gothic cathedral. It shows the simple linearity of Gothic architecture and is very grand. The front facade of the church has two symmetrical towers with a height of 69 meters. It adopts the rare flame Gothic style with simple and sharp reliefs. The south tower of the church has 49 bells made by the Royal Bell Factory, and people can enjoy its beautiful bells during Sunday concerts. #trip # Self-driving # Car rental # Self-driving tour

Ghent

#europetrip Ghent, a picturesque city in Belgium, is renowned for its medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the Flanders region, it boasts well-preserved historical buildings, including the Gravensteen Castle and the stunning St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece. The city is crisscrossed by scenic canals and features a lively town center with bustling markets, cafes, and shops. Known for its rich history, dynamic arts scene, and annual festivals like the Gentse Feesten, Ghent combines historical charm with modern vibrancy, making it a compelling destination for visitors.

Belgium Gent🇧🇪 One-day tour guide to the classical style town

Ghent allows everyone to enjoy the historical traces and fashionable hipster style at the same time. It also has the most beautiful and romantic canal view in Europe 😝👀 Because this city is relatively small, you can walk all day long! The first stop is the St. Michel Bridge 😍 Since the bridge spans the banks of the River Rhee, the banks of the Grain and the banks of the Vanilla River, locals and travelers will come to enjoy the beauty from morning to evening🤤 Another stop is the Count of Brabant's Castle 🥰 This castle was once a prison court mint to modern times it has become a museum of torture instruments and guillotines like to see ancient castle architecture and walk the museum Don't miss it!

The Gravensteen Castle

The Gravensteen is a medieval castle at Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium. The current castle dates from 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum and a major landmark in the city. The origins of the Gravensteen date to the reign of Arnulf I (890–965). The site, which sat between two branches of the Lys river, was first fortified around 1000, initially in wood and later in stone. This was soon transformed into a motte-and-bailey castle which burnt down in around 1176. The current castle dates to 1180 and was built by Philip of Alsace (1143–1191) on the site of the older fortification. It may have been inspired by crusader castles witnessed by Philip during the Second Crusade. As well a protective citadel, the Gravensteen was intended to intimidate the burghers of Ghent who often challenged the counts' authority. It incorporates a large central donjon, a residence and various smaller buildings. These are surrounded by a fortified, oval-shaped enceinte lined with 24 small échauguettes. It also has a sizeable moat, fed with water from the Lys. #awesomepic#historicculture#beautifulsunsets#bestislandtraveltowns#naturalwonders#culturalattractions

Gravensteen in Ghent. A great city to visit.

Climb up here to see the famous 'three towers' skyline of Ghent, Belgium

The Gravensteen (Dutch for 'Castle of the Count') is a medieval castle located in the historic city of Ghent, Belgium 🇧🇪. It is one of the only remaining castles in the Flanders region with an almost intact defense system, including a moat. The current castle dates back to 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. Visiting the Gravensteen is an absolute must when in Ghent, as it is also the best spot to admire the Ghent skyline. By climbing to the top of the castle's watchtower, you can see the skyline formed by Ghent's famous three tallest ancient buildings. The castle is open daily, with an entrance fee of 13 euros, which includes an audio guide. The visit can take approximately 1.5-2 hours.

Experiencing the Beauty of Gent

Immerse yourself in the enchanting city of Gent, where cobblestone streets and picturesque canals create a romantic and idyllic atmosphere. Discover the stunning architecture, from medieval buildings to the Gothic-style St. Bavo's Cathedral. Take a leisurely stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei, lined with colorful buildings and charming cafes. Indulge in delicious Belgian cuisine, try the famous Ghent cone-shaped pralines and sample local beers. Don't miss the iconic Belfry of Ghent for panoramic city views. Gent is a hidden gem that will captivate you with its beauty and history.

Mighty Gravensteen, Ghent

Gravensteen in Ghent is an absolute gem that took my breath away! As a visitor, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of this medieval fortress. It's a place that stirs up emotions and makes you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale. From the moment I caught sight of Gravensteen, I knew I was in for a truly unforgettable experience. The castle's towering walls and imposing presence made me feel like I was entering a different world, a world of knights and noble deeds. Once inside, I was completely captivated by the enchanting atmosphere. The castle's interior is a treasure trove of history and charm. Walking through the ancient stone corridors, I couldn't help but imagine the stories that must have unfolded within these walls. The faded tapestries and time-worn artifacts only added to the sense of wonder and curiosity that enveloped me. But the real highlight of my visit was ascending the spiral staircase to the top of the castle. The view from up there was nothing short of breathtaking! I felt like I had the entire city of Ghent at my feet. The sight of the charming rooftops and winding canals stretching into the distance was a sight I'll never forget. It was a moment of pure magic, and I couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the city's rich history. Gravensteen isn't just a tourist attraction; it's a place that touches your heart. It's a reminder of the incredible achievements of those who came before us and an opportunity to immerse yourself in a bygone era. As a visitor, I felt a sense of awe and gratitude for the opportunity to experience such a remarkable place. If you're visiting Ghent, Gravensteen is an absolute must-see. Prepare to be transported to a world of knights and castles, where history comes alive before your eyes. It's an emotional journey that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime. #mytripvlog#tripblazers#awesomepic#celebratewithtrip#couplestrip

Christmas Away From Home: Celebrating in Our Own Adventurous Style 🎅🚀

Instead of staying home, we decided to decorate a Christmas tree and embark on an exciting journey, exploring new destinations and creating unique holiday memories.

This 13th-century castle was originally used for defensive use until the 19th century was bought by the Italian Duke as a private residence. However, the Duke died two years after his marriage, and the owner of the castle became the wife of the Duke. She stays here for three weeks a year and goes hunting in the nearby forest. Because the hostess studied history when she was at school, she was very interested in the history of the Middle Ages and collected a lot of works of art. In addition to some of the works exhibited in the castle, she donated a lot to the Louvre. In 1923, the hostess died, and because she had no children, she donated the castle to the Belgian government. Since 1924, it has been transformed into a museum, which is open to the public from April to November every year.