The best cycling routes in Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

The Drongenplein is the heart of the old village center of Drongen. The design of the Drongenplein with its pollarded lime trees and footpaths is full of nods to the past. The corten steel fencing shows the boundaries of the churchyard that was located here until the 19th century. The paths follow a route that is still visible on old city maps, and the curved bench at the war memorial is a reference to the meandering Leie.

The Asselsbrug is a railway and cycle bridge over the Noordelijke Leie between Drongen and Assels on the west side of Ghent. The bridge is located on railway line 50A, which connects Ghent with Bruges. When railway line 50A was expanded from two to four tracks, a new railway bridge was added on both sides of the original bridge.

For those wondering why there was never a wider bridge to connect Assel to the civilized world: this 1927 four-part bridge is a protected monument and was restored quite recently. It therefore remains millimeter work for trucks that need to get to the other side. The name Pontbrug points to a further past when there was only a pontoon or ferry service here.

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.

The Zuivelbrug is the elegant bridge over the Leie, which allows passage between two historically valuable districts. On the one hand, the Oudburg with the Patershol district, which belonged to the county property of the Grafenburg, and on the other hand, the Vrijdagmarkt. From the 13th century until 1476, this bridge was also known by the name Boudinsbrug, after a resident of the "Suvelsteghe". Initially, it was made of wood, then it was built of stone between 1363 and 1426. To allow the passage of seagoing vessels, a swing bridge was built between 1751 and 1754, which was renewed several times over time. On July 1, 1987, a completely renovated metal swing bridge was installed to replace the outdated bridge, which had been out of operation since 1968. Source: https://gentdekuip.com/zuivelbrug/