Belgium · Restored
Gravensteen
The Gravensteen is a medieval stone castle in the centre of Ghent, Belgium, built on an island between branches of the river Lys. The extant structure dates from 1180 and served as the residence of the Counts of Flanders; it stands today as a restored museum and city landmark.
First raised
1180
Its prime
1180
Today
Restored
As it stood in 1180
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact, oval-shaped fortress of grey masonry set in a water-filled moat, dominated by a large central donjon rising above a ring of thick curtain walls. The enceinte is lined with many small round échauguettes and reinforced by short, projecting drum towers; crenellated parapets run along the wall-head. Stone is roughly coursed grey limestone; one round turret retains a conical roof while the keep and walls show flat, crenellated rooflines. At its prime the structure was fully built and functioning.
Step inside
7 places to explore in 1180.
The record describes 7 distinct spots at Gravensteen — including 2 interiors: main gate and portcullis, donjon residential chamber. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
See Gravensteen with the fires lit.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1180 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →
