Ghent's Gravensteen and Old Town

Gravensteen (the Castle of the Counts in English), encircled by the River Lieve, is one of Western Europe's most powerful moated strongholds. It was built in the manner of Syrian crusader castles between 1180 and 1200 on the orders of Philip of Alsace, the former count of Flanders, on the foundation of an earlier 9th-century edifice. It is still considered a one-of-a-kind specimen of European medieval fortification art.

Gravensteen was utilized by the counts for land administration after losing its military function in the 14th century. It was turned into a cotton mill and apartments for the workers after it was purchased by a private owner in 1800. The historic Sint-Veerleplein, which runs in front of the castle, is possibly Ghent's oldest plaza, however, the adjoining facades are most likely from the 17th century. The Inquisition's victims were executed and burned in this square, which served as both a marketplace and a place of execution.