Day 5 – Brussels holiday.
The first fortification at this site, a sand dune with swampy borders in between the anabranches of the River Leie, was built in the mid-9th century by Baldwin I. This fortification grew out to be the seat of the Counts of Flanders, hence its name 'Gravensteen', which literally translates back to 'Stone of the Counts'. The castle went through many restoration works until in 1894 a thorough restoration turned the castle back into the appearance the architects thought it had during the time of Count Philip I in the late 12th century. It then became a tourist spot. In 1949 the castle was shortly occupied by protesting local students. In recent decades it was again restored twice.
Thank you very much for your looks, comments and fav's on yesterday's picture.
Ian