Walls of Grijzestad

The Walls of Grijzestad are a series of defensive stone walls and fortresses that have surrounded and protected the city and people of Grijzestad since the 15th century.

The walls
The earliest of Grijzestad's walls began to be constructed in July 1427, in the height of the War of Independence. Fears of an invasion of the rebel capital were large and in August the Venetians were very close. Eventually the threat of invasion was gone and construction of the walls were halted. The beginning of Barbary corsair attacks in the late 15th century in Brunant prompted the government to continue building the walls.

Westen Kastel
The Westen Kastel was a small fort located at the west of Grijzestad. Built around 1426, it was the first defense in the town. During the Battle of Grijzestad (1784) it was destroyed by Carrington's cannons and was never rebuilt.

Oosten Kastel
The Oosten Kastel (East Castle) is a castle overlooking the harbor. Built between 1534 and 1537, it was meant to ward off attackers by providing a good defense at the mouth of the harbor.

Mariaberg Castle
Mariaberg Castle is a castle located to the east of Grijzestad on the Mary Mount, a small rocky island. This castle was used for guarding the entrance to the port and warning of oncoming ships. In 1533 Mariaberg Castle was taken by corsairs and for five months the city had its own guns turned against it. This castle last saw action when it fired upon a German cruiser in June 1916.

The citadel
See also: Grijzestad Citadel''

The citadel was built between 1703 and 1712 on a hill overlooking the town. The defenses would incorporate the town walls, which would be linked to the fort. It was built since there were fears of an invasion of Brunant by France or Spain. The citadel followed a star shape used by Vauban designs. Frenchman Pierre-Louis Alexandre de Rigny Michelot oversaw the construction of the fort.