The best traffic-free bike rides in Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

The Gravensteen (Dutch; lit. 'the Counts' stone [castle]') is a medieval castle in the city of Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium. The current castle dates from 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton mill. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum and a major landmark in the city.

The Gravensteen owes its existence to the Counts of Flanders. To protect themselves from enemy attacks, Count Baldwin II had fortifications built at all strategic locations in the empire in the 9th century. His son Arnulf I continued his father's work and built a fortress in Ghent. This is where the Gravensteen stands today. At that time, it was a rectangular wooden structure consisting of a two-story main building and some outbuildings, including a grain store. The fortress soon proved to be a magnet for trade and crafts in the region. Ghent grew into the largest city of the newly founded Flanders. In the 11th century, the wooden structure gave way to a luxury residence made of precious Tournai limestone. The wooden outbuildings served as storage, where the yields from the surrounding (countly) lands were stored and processed by craftsmen from various guilds. In the following century, the castle became a motte. This type of castle is characterized by an artificially created earth mound, piled up 3 meters high. The former first floor thus became the ground floor. In addition, a stone ring wall was built around the castle. A gate now separated the upper castle, or inner bailey, from the outer bailey, the present-day Sint-Veerleplein. Philip of Alsace had the motte raised and widened. The main building became a 30-meter-high residential and defensive tower, a so-called keep. The interior of the tower was also expanded. Around the upper castle, a wall with 24 turrets and a projecting gate was built, where the following inscription can still be read today: "In the year 1180, Philip, Count of Flanders and Vermandois, son of Count Dietrich (Diederik) and Sibylla, had this castle built." The use of various types of stone created a multi-colored complex with a more luxurious appearance. Apart from that, there was no skimping on decorations. The castle's architecture is reminiscent of the famous Crac des Chevaliers castle in northern Syria, which is inextricably linked to the Crusades. Phillips may have drawn inspiration from there. Source: historischehuizen.stad.gent/de/grafenburg/geschichte-und-geschichten

The Old Palace of Justice in Ghent (Gerechtshof) is an impressive courthouse built in the 19th century. It is a neoclassical building that played a prominent role in the cityscape in the 1880s. Today, the historic building still houses the Assize Court and the Court of Appeal.

The Old Palace of Justice in Ghent (Gerechtshof) is an impressive courthouse built in the 19th century. It is a neoclassical building that played a prominent role in the cityscape in the 1880s. Today, the historic building still houses the Assize Court and the Court of Appeal.

Since 1909, the Sint-Jorisbrug has spanned the Lys between Sint-Joriskaai and Dampoortstraat. Its peculiar, non-perpendicular course earned it the popular nickname 'Kemelbrücke'. In 1908, it was written that the Sint-Joris Bridge was to become the widest bridge in Europe. It replaced three neighboring bridges, which were demolished after construction and of which remains can still be found. To the north, precisely in the axis of the Steendam, was the old Sint-Jorisbrug, then a swing bridge. To the south lay the Pasbrug, a fixed footbridge, and the Rode Torenbrug, a metal swing bridge. Source: https://stad.gent/nl/cultuur-vrije-tijd/wandelen-en-fietsen-gent/bruggenwandeling#117321

The St.-Joris Bridge, also known as the Kemel Bridge due to its hump-shaped appearance, has been located at Portus Ganda since 1907. It is situated between the Steendam and the Dampoortstraat, where the Lys and the Scheldt rivers flow into the Napoleon De Pauwvertakking, also known as Pauwvaardeken or Pauwkanaal.

without cars and partly unpaved

Next to the park is a prison. Behind the park is the former Palace of Justice.