Starting next summer, the interior of Alden Biesen Castle will also be open to visitors. The castle is to accommodate a museum on the history of this heritage site. It will cover the 800-year history of Alden Biesen Castle itself as well as the history of the Order of Teutonic Knights.
New museum at Alden Biesen Castle to shed light on its history and the Teutonic Knights
Colin Clapson
Published:
As one of Flanders' largest heritage sites, Alden Biesen is best known for the many cultural events staged there, including the Summer Opera and the International Storytelling Festival. More could be done with the history of the site and that is now what is about to happen.
Today, the Historical Study Centre Alden Biesen is already involved in research into the history of the Order of Teutonic Knights and runs the archives. Guides already provide more than 250 guided tours a year and temporary exhibitions are regularly staged.
The establishment of a museum in the castle simply means a further expansion of the site’s cultural offerings. Staff at Alden Biesen are frequently asked whether the castle’s interior can be visited. From next summer, the answer is yes.
800 years of history
Alden Biesen director of Patrick Cornelissen explains what visitors will be able to see in the museum: ‘First of all, we want to highlight our own 800-year history, and also the role played by the Order of Teutonic Knights, whose presence here had a major impact.’
‘The intention is also to expand the museum's spaces in an attractive way,’ the director continues. ‘We don’t want to do this only in the conventional way with a painting hanging on the wall with a text next to it. We also want to appeal to young people.’ To this end, two new members of staff have been recruited; they have the job of looking for ways to appeal to young people.