Church of the Grand Commandery Alden Biesen

A legend lies at the origin of the foundation of a chapel in Biesen. According to the story, at the beginning of the 13th century, fierce disputes raged in the region. Our Lady appeared and asked for a chapel to be erected for her, to which peace would return. A miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin and miraculous healings made the chapel a place of pilgrimage. This place of worship was donated to the Teutonic Knights in 1220.

The current church was built in the 17th century and now serves as a parish church for Rijkhoven. It is decorated with some remarkable paintings by GASPAR DE CRAYER. The canvas above the altar of Our Lady depicts a Pietà with the kneeling Elisabeth and Francis of Assisi at her feet. The other painting depicts Saint George, who receives the standard from the Archangel Michael. In the background, he fights the dragon. They illustrate the dual mission of the Teutonic Order: their care as a hospital order and their fight for the faith as an order of chivalry.

The wooden high altar is painted black and white, the colors of the Teutonic Order. The right side altar is dedicated to Saint Blaise (17th century), invoking against throat ailments. Opposite is the choir stall of the land commander, an oak chair, made around 1700.

Open Church: daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Winter period: from 10 a.m.)

GASPAR DE CRAYER
Gaspar De Crayer (Antwerp 1584 – Ghent 1669) was a painter of the Antwerp school, which also included Pieter Brueghel, Anthony Van Dyck and Rubens. In his time, he was one of the most important artists from the Southern Netherlands. He was court painter to Governor Leopold William of Austria, who was also Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.

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