Alden Biesen Castle

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Alden Biesen: view from within the French garden

Alden Biesen is 16th century castle in Belgium, located in the small village of Rijkhoven in the municipality of Bilzen.

The castle is used today as a cultural centre and conference centre. Festivals such as the Scottish weekend or the International Story Festival are held there. In addition, "European Classes" take place, intended to foster international learning and collaboration between students. The first ever RSPBA Major Pipe Band Championship held outside the UK was the European Pipe Band Championships held there in September 2003.

In addition to the moated castle, the complex contains a church and gardens.

[edit] History

The knights of the Teutonic Order originally founded the Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, or 'land commandership of Alden Biesen', in the 11th century, but the current buildings were built between the 16th and 18th centuries.^[1] It was the headquarters of a bailiwick or province of the Teutonic Order in the land of Maas and Rhine. On 8 March 1971 the building burnt down and was acquired by the government and restored.