This magnificent location is of Roman origin … and we know the Romans were excellent road builders and conquerors of foreign lands, the Ghent area included.
It appears that the first occupation of the site dates back to Roman times. Centuries after the Romans, the Vikings were plaguing the area that was nominally under the French crown’s control.
Several counts rebuilt and increased the fortifications during the eleventh and twelfth centuries CE (AD). They replaced some wooden structures with stone buildings, a stone gateway, keep and tower, and added a moat.
The original version of today’s Gravensteen Castle, with its hint of the styling associated with Crusaders’ castles, was built by the arrogant count Philip I of Flanders in 1180 CE (AD). He wanted to ensure that his friends and enemies were aware of his power and glorious achievements. Philip I heightened the stone keep’s walls to over 98 ft and added the gate towers and a defense wall with twenty-four turrets.