Kasteel van Ordingen

Kasteel van Ordingen is a castle in the village of Ordingen, part of Sint-Truiden in the Belgian province of Limburg, set on the banks of the small Melsterbeek stream. Best known today as a luxury castle hotel, it carries a history stretching back to the early Middle Ages, marked by destruction, changing owners and repeated rebuilding.

How old is the castle?

The lords of Ordingen first appear in records from 1040. Their stronghold served as a watchpost on the border of the County of Loon, a position of real military and strategic value at the time. By 1253, sources name Adam de Harduemont, whose descendants continued to live at the castle until the 14th century.

Who took over after the Harduemont line ended?

When the family line ran out of direct heirs, the estate passed to the related Duras family. A turning point came in 1467, when the castle was destroyed during the Battle of Brustem. It was rebuilt by the Van Horion family, and in the 16th century, under Willem III van Horion, it was reconstructed in Renaissance style — a transformation that still largely defines the building's appearance today.

What was the castle's connection to the Teutonic Order?

In 1611 the estate was purchased by Edmond Huyn van Amstenrade, landcommandeur of Alden Biesen and a member of the Teutonic Order. Over the following two centuries, Ordingen served as home to 25 successive commanders of the order, who — particularly during the 18th century — often delegated day-to-day management to resident stewards.

What happened in the 19th and 20th centuries?

In 1863 the castle passed to Léon, the third son of coal baron Charles Pitteurs-Hiégaeerts. He carried out a thorough renovation in 1879 and assembled an extensive art collection inside the building. A German bombardment in 1940 caused serious damage, and subsequent difficulties with restoration permits combined with family disputes led to the estate's sale in 1964 to physician Henri Beckers of Tongeren.

Who owns the castle today?

In 1997 Henri Beckers sold the property to the firm Bemas, run by Richard Sleurs. Under his direction, the castle was gradually restored and brought back to life over more than two decades. Today it operates as a five-star hotel with 32 rooms and suites designed by well-known Belgian interior designer Pieter Porters. Two restaurants share the grounds: Aurum, offering contemporary fine dining, and Bistro Richard, serving regional classics in the historic courtyard.

What can visitors expect to see?

The castle combines its medieval origins with a Renaissance-era structure and a carefully restored interior. It sits amid gardens and the rolling hills and orchards typical of Limburg, making it appealing both to history enthusiasts and to travelers looking for a quiet stay close to nature. Hasselt's market square is roughly 19 kilometers away, making it easy to combine a visit with exploring the wider region.

Frequently asked questions

Can the castle be visited? The building operates as a hotel and restaurant, so access to the interior is primarily reserved for guests using those services.

Where does the name Ordingen come from? The name comes from the village where the castle stands, now a sub-municipality of the city of Sint-Truiden.

What architectural style defines the castle today? Its current appearance largely reflects the 16th-century Renaissance reconstruction, even though the site's history reaches back much further, to the early Middle Ages.