Top 20 Castles around Melle

In 1491, the construction of the Rabot was completed. The reinforced lock lay at the intersection of the Lieve with the city moat. The Lieve, on its side, provided the connection with the Zwin, which had not yet silted up, and further with the sea. In 1860, the brick wing facing the city was demolished. In 1872, the street level was raised and the Lieve was closed off. In the meantime, Ghent had long since had other access routes to the sea.

Over the centuries, the people of Ghent remain true to their reputation as stubborn rebels. They even rise up against their own prince, Emperor Charles V. However, this goes one step too far: the people of Ghent are publicly humiliated, and the Roland Bell – a symbol of Ghent's independence – is removed from the Belfry. The once powerful city-state is brought to its knees, both figuratively and literally. Economically, things also gradually worsen. The city loses its access to the sea, and the population halves. It is only in the second half of the 18th century that an economic upswing occurs. Under Dutch leadership, Ghent gets its own university in 1816. As a reminder of this, a statue of King William I, founder of the university, was erected on De Reep. Ten years later, the city becomes a seaport again with the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Source: https://visit.gent.be/de/wissenswertes/praktische-auskuenfte/warum-gent/gent-im-laufe-der-jahrhunderte

The history of Ghent begins in the year 630, when Saint Amandus decides to build an abbey at the confluence (or 'Ganda') of the rivers Leie and Scheldt. Almost 1400 years of history are still omnipresent in the city today: a medieval castle in a moat, an imposing cathedral, a belfry, three beguinages,… You will not find such a high density of history per square meter anywhere else as in the historic district of Ghent! From 1000 to approx. 1550, Ghent was one of the most important cities in Europe. Ghent was larger than London and only had Paris 'above' it. The 60,000 inhabitants the city had in the 14th century vehemently defended their rights: the counts and princes had to experience firsthand that the proud and rebellious Ghent citizen does not give up his acquired privileges and freedoms without a fight. Until the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, the city was ruled by a few wealthy merchant families. As they generally preferred the French king to the Count of Flanders, they were given the derogatory nickname 'Leliaerts' by the people, derived from the lily (NL: lelie) on the French coat of arms. In the course of the increasing political power of the craftsmen and guilds in the 14th century, Ghent gained a more democratic leadership. As England blocked the import of raw materials for the vital textile industry, Ghent, during the Hundred Years' War (out of necessity), sided with England (1338-1345). The wealthy cloth merchant Jacob van Artevelde led the resistance against Count Louis of Nevers, a vassal of the French king. In 1345, the 'wise man' was murdered by his fellow citizens. His great significance is evident from the fact that Ghent is still referred to as 'Artevelde City' today. Ghent had to give up its alliance with England and recognize the King of France. In 1407, the seat of the Council of Flanders, the highest judicial body of the county, moved from Bruges to the Count's Castle. Dutch became the lingua franca. Source: https://visit.gent.be/de/wissenswertes/praktische-auskuenfte/warum-gent/gent-im-laufe-der-jahrhunderte

The Rabot is a fortified lock dating from 1491 with two imposing towers, built after the siege of Ghent. It gave its name to the Rabot district and is one of the city's most striking heritage sites.

The Geeraard de Duivelsteen is a building in the Belgian city of Ghent. The stone played an important role in the defense of the Portus on the Reep, a trading settlement that was at the cradle of the origin of Ghent. It is a former Gothic stone (stone house of a nobleman) from the 13th century, named after knight Geeraard van Gent, nicknamed Geeraard de Duivel. He was the third son of a viscount of Ghent, Zeger III. The building became the property of the city in the 14th century. Over the centuries it fulfilled various functions: knight's residence, weapons arsenal, monastery, school, episcopal seminary, insane asylum and prison until the Rasphuis on the Coupure took over that task in 1775. In 1830 a fire station was set up there. At the end of the 19th century, the Geraard de Duivelsteen was purchased by the government to house the State Archives of Ghent. Under the leadership of Arthur Verhaegen, the building was restored between 1891 and 1908 and expanded with a new wing, which housed the reading room and the offices of the archive staff. The building remained in use as an archive until 2015. In 2016, it was purchased for 2,205,000 euros by the Ghent holding company NV Koiba. The building is being converted into a youth centre. In addition, there will be a few residential units; the former quay wall is being restored. The building has undergone so many changes since the Middle Ages that the square keep (left in the photo), which was lowered too much during the last restoration in the 19th century, is barely recognisable. However, this keep can point to a function that refers to an older past. The keep, located along the partially filled-in Scheldt and within the semi-circular moat from the 9th century that surrounded Ghent at the time, may have had a defensive function at the time.

The castle of Leeuwergem from 1762 is one of the most beautiful baroque castles in Belgium. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful garden with ponds. On the avenues around the actual castle domain you can walk freely to admire the baroque building from a distance.

Former city gate built over the canal.

In the heart of Belgium, where history mixes with modern flair, lies the enchanting city of Ghent. With its ancient cobbled streets and majestic medieval architecture, Ghent gives the impression of a fairytale timelessness. Cycling through the streets of the old town, surrounded by centuries-old buildings that whisper stories of times gone by, you will feel the spirit of the past. The imposing Castle of the Counts, a medieval castle that proudly overlooks the city, bears witness to Ghent's glorious history as a center of power and influence. But Ghent is not just a city of old glory; it is also a vibrant center of culture and creativity. The vibrant student population creates an energetic atmosphere, with hip cafes, boutiques and art galleries livening up the streets. The impressive Gravensteen is crowned by the majestic towers of St. Bavo's Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that dominates the historic silhouette of Ghent. Inside is the famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers that enchants visitors from all over the world with its beauty and mystery. But the real heart of Ghent beats on the quays of the River Leie, where the old warehouses have been transformed into charming restaurants and bars. Here you can enjoy delicious Belgian dishes and local beers while looking out over the tranquil water, under the shadow of the majestic Graslei and Korenlei. Ghent is a city that stimulates all the senses, a place where history and modernity come together in a harmonious whole. It's a place that enchants you, a city that will stay with you forever, even long after you've left its cobbled streets. Ghent is not just a city; it is an experience, a story waiting to be discovered.