Alden Biesen Waterburcht

Alden Biesen, located in Rijkhoven near Tongeren in Belgium, is a moated castle complex that once served as the seat of the Teutonic Order's Ballei Biesen — the largest commandery of the Order in northwestern Europe. From this administrative hub, twelve subordinate commanderies across the Rhine-Meuse region were governed, making it a cornerstone of Teutonic power during the medieval period. The sweeping ensemble of fortified walls, a water-filled moat, and formal baroque gardens conveys the scale of the Order's ambitions in the Low Countries. Today the protected heritage site is open to visitors and functions as a cultural center for the Flemish community.