Alden Biesen

Alden Biesen was a land commandery of the TEUTONIC ORDER. In 1220, they received the lands of Alden Biesen. This complex was at the head of a long belt of commanderies that stretched from Bekkevoort all the way to Bonn. Each commandery was under the authority of a Commander. These had to report to their superior: the land commander. This person led the Alden Biesen complex.

The current buildings were constructed from the 16th to the 18th century. Alden Biesen remained rich and powerful until the French Revolution when the assets of the order were confiscated and publicly sold. The heirs of the then-buyers inhabited the castle until 1971. Today, Alden Biesen is a multifunctional cultural center of the Flemish Community.

Tourist reception center: 9am-5pm (Winter period: from 10am)

THE TEUTONIC ORDER
The Teutonic Order or Teutonic Knights was a religious knightly order founded in 1190 during the time of the Crusades. The members were noble knights who took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Besides spiritual care and charity, the primary ideal of the order was the fight against non-believers. The priest-brothers were responsible for spiritual care, while the knight-brothers went to battle. Originally, the Teutonic Order was deployed in the Holy Land, but gradually its area of work expanded.

Stichting Open Kerken