Alden Biesen Castle, Rijkhoven, Belgium

The knights of the Teutonic Order originally founded the Alden Biesen commandery 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. In addition to the moated castle, the complex contains a church and gardens.

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.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Kayenta (2 years ago)
Amazing garden with loads of beautiful tulips.

Primipilatus srl (2 years ago)
Really nice experience. I took away 1 star for the lack of on site eating option and for not being able to visit the buildings interior without prior booking.

Alessandro Torboli (2 years ago)
Huge castle in the vast emptiness of Limburg region. The strong point and major reason to visit this place is the free entrance feature. Without the need for any fee or tickets it's possible to access the domain and visit the vast gardens and walk through all the buildings (which are aplenty). Audio guided tours are available for a pricy cost that will lead the visitors through the history of the castle and it's premises. I really recommend a visit at this place, with any weather and in any season.

Tara Huber (3 years ago)
Absolutely stunning place. Beautiful gardens and gorgeous, well kept buildings.

Lorenz Peeters (3 years ago)
Great location to have a chique party

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Alden Biesen Castle

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