If castles are what are interesting your children at the moment, then a trip to Gravensteen Castle in Ghent is definitely on the “To Do” list.
Gravensteen Castle, also known as the Castle of the Counts, is a fairly small but beautiful castle located right in Ghent city centre. You can visit plenty of rooms, dungeons and cellars, look at displays of medieval artefacts and weapons, and there’s even a fascinating but fairly gruesome torture chamber. At the top you get superb views over the city of Gent.
A word of warning: it’s not for the very young or the elderly, as some of the spiral staircases are very tight.
The entry fee is 10 euro, and if I understand correctly, free for children. Instructions are available in English. During certain weekends, events take place in the castle grounds, such as medieval displays or markets, so it’s worth keeping an eye open for those for an extra interest. Here are some photos of my visit.
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I’d love to climb to the top of the tower but I’d give the torture chamber a miss.
Climbing to the top of the tower is also a kind of torture Carol
Hopefully no blood and guts involved though 😮
That’s a right proper looking castle!
Yes, they don’t build ’em like that anymore!
And right at the foot of the Gravensteen is restaurant Avalon, with delicious vegan dishes 🙂
Thanks for your recommendation Trudi, which I have incorporated into the text above! I will try it myself next time I am in Gent!
I don’t think I even would want to wear the gear of champions. Pretty heavy work! 🙂
I agree Marsha, particularly when there’s an equally clad fellow trying to beat the living daylights out of you! 🙂
Of course if he is coming at you with a spear, that’s another matter! BTW, my name is Marsha. My mom was Martha, and I have a slight lisp, so I get that a lot, but I didn’t think I lisped online! 🙂
Oops! I know that’s your name Marsha, and forgive me for incorrectly spelling it. Martha and Marsha in the same family must have occasionally led to some confusions, yes?
All the time!!!
Heel goede fotoreportage.Fijne informatie en ik bezocht het ooit op geschiedenis uitstap met de school.Vooral knap dat men het zo goed bewaard heeft.
Zeker. Toen ik daar was een groep kinderen waren bezig met een rondleiding. Ik denk dat het Gravensteen een uitstekende plek voor kinderen is. Ze waren natuurlijk vooral geïnteresseerd in de martelkamer!
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