Geeraard de Duivelsteen (Castle of Gerald the Devil), Ghent

The Castle of Gerald the Devil (Geeraard de Duivelsteen) is a medieval fortress located in Ghent. Built in the 13th century, this Gothic-style edifice with Romanesque elements was originally constructed to defend the Portus aan de Reep, a trading settlement that marked the origins of the city of Ghent. The fortress's defensive features include thick walls, turrets, and a reduit for monitoring and protecting the area against attacks.

Despite its ominous name and appearance, no devil ever resided within its walls. The castle was named after Geeraard Vilain, a knight and the son of the 15th Viscount of Ghent, Zeger III. Vilain, known as "Geeraard the Devil" due to his dark hair and complexion, lived in the castle, which remained the residence of his descendants until the early 14th century when it transitioned to municipal ownership.

Over the centuries, the Castle of Gerald the Devil has served numerous roles. It has been a gathering place for noblemen, an arsenal, a monastery, a school, an episcopal seminary, and a prison. In 1807, it was repurposed as an orphanage for boys, and from 1815, it served as an asylum for the mentally ill. By 1830, the castle became a fire station. Towards the end of the 19th century, it was acquired by the Belgian government to house a national archive, with a new wing added for this purpose. The castle continued as an archive until 2015.

Currently, there are plans to transform the Castle of Gerald the Devil into a luxury block of flats and a youth center, marking yet another chapter in the long and varied history of this iconic medieval fortress.