Graventoren

Graventoren is a four-story limestone tower with thick walls and narrow window openings that once served defensive purposes. The building blends medieval protective features with later additions, telling through its architecture the story of different periods.

This structure emerged in the 12th century built upon the foundations of a water fortress and was part of a major defensive system from the era of Countess Margaret of Flanders. The building survived centuries of conflict and political upheaval before eventually being repurposed as a prison.

The tower served as a prison holding notable figures like cartographer Gerard Mercator, marking a darker chapter in its past. Today the spaces inside reflect this history and show how the structure changed its purpose over time.

The tower is only open to visitors on certain days and is explored through guided tours that show how to navigate the different levels. It is advisable to check in advance what dates are available and whether special tours are offered.

The current exhibition displays authentic maps and prints along with detailed models that reconstruct the full appearance of the former castle complex. This display offers rare insight into the spatial extent and importance of the original site that visitors would otherwise not see.