Gravensteen

Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent , Belgium . It was built in the 12th century by count Philip of Alsace. However, a wooden castle had already been standing here in the 9th century. From the 14th century, after the princes of the Flanders left Gravensteen, it served as a court and a prison. Finally, it fell into disrepair. People started to dismantle it and use the material to build their houses. In 1885, the city of Ghent bought the ruins of the castle, subsequently the council began to reconstruct it. Although many people believed that Gravensteen is not worth repairing, the reconstruction was completed, and the monument attracts more and more tourists every year.