Alden Biesen Castle

Alden Biesen was founded in 1220 as a commandery of the Teutonic Order and grew into one of its principal seats in the Low Countries, and the buildings that survive are largely sixteenth to eighteenth century: a moated brick and stone castle with corner towers, a large forecourt with service ranges, a church, an orangery, a coach house and a set of gardens including a formal French garden and a landscape park. The order held it until the French Revolution. After a fire in 1971 the Flemish government bought and restored it, and it now works as a cultural centre with exhibitions, concerts, a storytelling festival and a conference operation, with the grounds open free and parts of the interior shown.

What you actually see

• A moated Teutonic commandery - corner towers and a large forecourt.
• The French formal garden - clipped parterres behind the castle.
• The orangery and coach house - the service buildings around the court.
• The landscape park - grounds beyond the formal gardens.

When to go

April to October for the gardens; the grounds are open year round and free. Two to three hours. The storytelling festival and concert programme run through the year and can close areas.

Honest expectations

Interior access is limited and depends on the exhibition programme. It is a working conference centre and parts are closed for events. Interpretation is largely in Dutch. Public transport is a bus from Bilzen.

Nearby

Tongeren is west; the Haspengouw orchards lie north.