The gate of Castle Gravensteen in Ghent | Belgium | door | travel photography by Laura Dijkslag

Ghent is known for its beautiful historic city centre, and Burcht Gravensteen is indeed the centrepiece of it. The castle is enormously massive with centuries-old medieval walls several metres thick, and the gate is also sturdy and massive but still the castle's weakest point. Standing in front of such a gate, I cannot help but dream away and imagine what such a gate has been through and seen, who all came through it. Of course lords and knights with their harnessed horses, beautiful carriages with fancy ladies, maybe a beggar begging for scraps, and of course the enemies who stormed the gate.
Too bad the gate and walls can't talk....

The gate of Slot Gravensteen in Ghent is an impressive part of this medieval fortress and served as an important defensive structure. The heavy wooden doors are reinforced with iron fittings, designed to keep out intruders. The gate is flanked by sturdy towers, equipped with battlements and loopholes, through which defenders could fire arrows or other projectiles at approaching enemies. This defence mechanism was crucial in the Middle Ages, when castles were frequently attacked.

Inside the gate is often a portcullis, a heavy iron-reinforced fence that could be quickly lowered to stop intruders. Together with the thick walls and strong doors, this made the castle almost impenetrable. The gate itself sometimes contains intricate carvings or stone reliefs, which were not only functional but also served as decorative elements to show the status and prestige of the inhabitants.

The gate of Castle Gravensteen reflects Ghent's rich history and offers a fascinating insight into the military architecture and defence techniques of the Middle Ages. Entering this gate feels like stepping back in time, to a period of knights, sieges and royal power.