Former Royal Destinations: Prinsenhof @ Gent, Belgium

On 24 Febuary 1500, the future Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V was born
at Gent (in English: Ghent) in the Prinsenhof.




On the picture of the painting, which is now at the STAM Museum at Gent, people
can see a part of the christening procession of Charles V.

The neighbourhood of the Prinsenhof is located from the Rabot to the
Gravensteen. Unfortunately this huge castle was demolished in the 19th century.

However this castle really has a great and even a royal history.

Some royal history

In 1064, Count Baldwin V of Flanders offered a swampy area for use to
Burgrave Hugo II and his wife Oda.

In 1323 this region came into the possession of Simon de Mirabello. Later this
man was killed by the people of Gent.

In 1340, Louis II, Count of Flanders was the owner. He rebuilt the place to a
home that was fit for the Count of Flanders. These Counts were vazals of the
King of France!

Later this place was inherited by the Valois Dukes of Burgundy. In 1477 the
joyous entry of Archduke Maximilian of Austria (later Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I) and his wedding to Mary of Burgundy took place at the
Prinsenhof of Gent.



During the government of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, and his wife
Isabella Clara Eugenia, the Prinsenhof declined.

In 1649, this wonderful place full of history was sold. In 1793 the ruins
were transformed into a sugar mill. Later it became a soap factory and
even a cotton steam spinning mill.




Only one gate called 'The Dark Gate' , De Donkere Poort (in Dutch), remained.

It's very sad that places with such a great history have disappeared. 


Source pictures: Wikipedia

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