Alden Biesen Castle - Belgium
Alden Biesen is a 16th-century castle in
Belgium, located in the small village of Rijkhoven in the municipality of Bilzen in the province of Limburg. 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. The knights of the Teutonic Order founded the Landcommanderij Alden Biesen ("commandery
of Alden Biesen") in the 11th century, but the current buildings were constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries.
It was the headquarters of a bailiwick or province of the Teutonic Order in the region of the Maas and Rhine. On 8 March
1971 the building burnt down and was acquired by the government and restored.