Top 20 Castles around Tongeren

Wine terrace and bar at Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen. The cosy terrace of the wine castle is a lovely place to relax with a beautiful view of the garden and the pond. You can taste all the products of the wine castle, and coffee, regional beer, lemonade and snacks are also available.

The small church overlooks the Commandery.

The story of Alden Biesen does not begin in Limburg, but at the scorching gates of besieged Acre. In 1190, German merchants built a field hospital there with the sails of their ships, intended for sick pilgrims and wounded crusaders. What began as an act of care and solidarity grew into the establishment of the Teutonic Order; a spiritual order of knights that was soon recognized by the Pope and the Emperor. In our region too, the Teutonic Order left its mark. In the thirteenth century, an impressive commandery was established in Rijkhoven near Bilzen: Alden Biesen, the headquarters of the bailiwick of Biesen, which managed dozens of properties in the region. For centuries, this domain was a center of power, wealth, and religious influence. But at the end of the eighteenth century, disaster struck. During the French Revolution, the property of the Teutonic Order was confiscated. In 1797, Guillaume Claes, the mayor of Hasselt, bought the domain and saved it from demolition. Nevertheless, it fell into disrepair, and in 1971, a severe fire destroyed almost the entire castle. Only the walls remained standing. Fortunately, the Flemish government intervened, and a thorough restoration followed. Today, Alden Biesen is once again a vibrant heritage site where you can relive the past in the castle, the garden, and the museum. Want to know more? Click through to https://www.alden-biesen.be/geschiedenis

A Landkommande (command post) was a regional administrative and economic unit of a religious military order, primarily the Teutonic Knights. It served as: • an administrative center for the surrounding holdings (farms, villages, lands), • an economic base for financing military and charitable activities, • the residence of the Landkomtur (commander), who held regional leadership. Chronological development: c. 1220 --> Establishment of the settlement by the Teutonic Knights --> Beginning as a regional administrative and economic unit 13th–14th centuries --> Expansion into the central Landkommande of the Bailiwick of Biesen --> Establishment as an important administrative center in the area of what is now the southern Netherlands 15th century --> Consolidation of the Order's rule; Economic stabilization --> Securing income from agriculture and taxes 16th century --> Effects of the Reformation and religious conflicts --> Political and religious tensions, but the commandery continued to exist 17th century --> Baroque expansion into a representative castle complex --> Transformation from a fortified complex to a prestigious residence 18th century --> Golden age as the seat of the Bailiwick of Biesen --> Administrative center with cultural significance 1794–1795 --> French revolutionary troops occupy the region --> Expropriation of the Order's property, end of the Order's rule 19th century --> Private use and structural alterations --> Loss of the original administrative function 1971 --> Major fire destroys large parts of the complex --> Severe structural damage From the 1970s onwards --> Restoration by the Belgian heritage authorities --> Re-establishment as a historical cultural monument Today --> Cultural and event center used for exhibitions, conferences, concerts, and tourism

The ruins of Jonckholt are the remains of an old medieval fortified site located near Hoelbeek in the Belgian municipality of Bilzen (Limburg). Although relatively unknown compared to large castles, this location constitutes a valuable and hidden piece of heritage that testifies to the medieval feudal structure and history of the region. The Jonckholt site likely originated around the beginning of the 13th century as a fortified settlement of the County of Loon. During this period, several wooden buildings were built on an artificially elevated plateau around a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a moat and later by walls. In the 14th century, the complex was modernized with a stone enclosure: a rectangular structure with round corner towers at each corner and a surrounding moat that served as a defense. Around 1390, the fief was held by various noble families until it finally changed hands in the 17th and 18th centuries through marriages and transfers of ownership. During the 16th century, the fortifications were modified to better withstand firearms warfare, but after that, gradual decline began. In later centuries, Jonckholt was partially dismantled, and most of the superstructure disappeared, leaving only the foundations and parts of the old ramparts and walls. Today, the visible remains of Jonckholt are primarily archaeological structures and foundations. Excavations were carried out in the 1980s, uncovering the foundations of the walls and the four corner towers. This provides an impression of the size and structure of the medieval fortifications, but unlike some other castles, no large, intact walls remain. The ruins are nestled in the greenery near Hoelbeek, accessible via unpaved paths and often included in nature trails in the region. Its location, far from major roads and surrounded by trees and meadows, captures the imagination of those who appreciate tranquil historical sites. A well-known walking route that passes the ruins is called "Hidden Beauty": this route combines historical heritage with natural paths and picturesque areas of forest and meadow.

The Commanderie is a textbook example of the Maasland Renaissance style, recognizable by: brick construction combined with Namur stone; straight, symmetrical volumes; decorative tiers of brick; a closed, almost monastic courtyard.

Beautiful historic location, worth a stop.

Commanderie Castle is one of the most historically significant buildings in the region. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages: as early as the 13th century, a settlement of the Teutonic Knights existed here, from which the name "Commanderie" is derived. The castle was not only a stately residence but also an administrative and economic center for the surrounding lands. The complex is surrounded by a moat and has been rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. A characteristic feature is the combination of medieval foundations with later Renaissance and Baroque elements. Particularly striking are the picturesque courtyard, the historic farm buildings, and the castle grounds surrounded by avenues and meadows. After the end of the Order's rule, the property passed into private hands and was used for agricultural purposes for a time. Today, Commanderie Castle is privately owned but parts of it are used for cultural and tourist activities. The castle represents the eventful history of the border region between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany and reflects the influence of religious orders of knights on the cultural landscape of this region.