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This historic district is filled with cobblestone streets, old buildings, and plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. Here are 10 of the best things to do in The Old Town (Oude Stad) Mechelen, Belgium. 1. Visit the Town Hall (Stadhuis) The Town Hall (Stadhuis) is one of the most iconic buildings in Mechelen.
Mechelen was at the heart of the revival of the carillon in the early 20th century, and hosts its principal school in the world to this day. [12][13] The area around Mechelen is famous for the cultivation of vegetables, among which are Belgian endive (witloof), asparagus, and cauliflower.
Aug 22, 2020 · Located in the Flanders region between Brussels and Antwerp, a visit to Mechelen makes for a perfect day trip! This guide provides historical context and ‘must-see’ recommendations for visitors interested in not only seeing Mechelen’s romantic Renaissance architecture, but gaining a deeper understanding of the city’s historical context.
- Admire The St-Romboutskathedraal
- Explore Begijnhof
- Take Cover in Fort Breendonk
- Marvel at The Stadhuis
- Learn at The Technopolis
- Play at The Speelgoedmuseum
- Visit Lady Hanswijk
- See A World-Famous Tapestry Workshop
- Discover The Fate of 25,500 Jews
- Go to Court
The name of this cathedral is certainly a mouthful but don’t let that put you off. Standing tall in the Grote Market, but visible throughout the entire city, the St-Romboutskathedraal stands just shy of 100 metres tall. Summiting the tower involves climbing 500 steps and can take over half an hour even for those with good fitness levels. The views ...
Begijnhof may not be as impressive as it once was but it is still an attractive area of the city. The baroque architecture, old breweries and even the streets themselves are charming in both appearance and atmosphere. The icing on the cake is the Begijnhofkerk building which is a stunning example of baroque architecture and the finest building in t...
This imposing looking military fortress was built in 1906 as a defensive fortification for the city of Antwerp in a town called Willebroek. During the Second World War the fort became a Nazi concentration camp. Nowadays, you can walk the dark corridors of the fort with a very informative audio guide and learn about the cruelty and punishment that t...
Equally as impressive as the St-Romboutskathedraal, the Stadhuis is a solid stone masterpiece that looks like a castle straight out of a fantasy novel. If you look closely at its bizarre but intriguing design, you may well notice that it is actually three buildings that have been cleverly turned into one, namely a belfry, council hall and the old c...
The Technopolis is a scientific museum which mixes fun and learning with a wide variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions. Both adults and children will be entertained by the hands-on activities on offer here. If you are visiting from Mechelen centre, the 282 bus travels from Mechelen Station to the museum every half an hour.
Another museum that aims to please adults and children alike is the Speelgoedmuseum. Children can entertain themselves with 7,000 square metres worth of toys, games and dolls whereas adults can familiarise themselves with the history of toys and even find some nostalgic items from their past. You can find the museum near the city’s Nekkerspoel trai...
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Hanswijk (Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk in English) is as striking on the inside as it is out. The exterior’s crowning piece is its dome while the highlight of the interior is the confessionals which were carved all the way back in the 17th Century. Many people visit this church as a pilgrimage to see the Madonna statuet...
Housed in the Tongerlo Refuge, the Royal Manufacturers de Wit are a world-renowned tapestry restoration and weaving workshop. The Refuge is known as such because in medieval times, travelling clergymen would stay here when they needed to visit the Archbishop in Mechelen. The building and the workshop within are both worth seeing.
During the Second World War the so-called Dossin Barracks, were used by the Nazis as a deportation centre and subsequently more than 25,000 Jews and around 300 Roma from the city and surrounding areas were sent to Auschwitz. It is believed that around 1,000 survived. At the barracks, which has been well preserved, you can learn about their story an...
Mechelen’s court house was used as a palace from the beginning of the 16th Century and was the home of Margaret of Austria. The Courthouse has been adjusted many times during its long lifespan but arguably the best bit, its gardens, remain unspoiled. The building itself is known as being the epicentre of the Renaissance movement in the Low Countrie...
Oct 7, 2024 · Home to the primate of Belgium and the country’s ecclesiastical capital, this characterful city is an easy day trip from either Brussels or Antwerp. Not sure if you should visit Mechelen? Let’s take a closer look at why it deserves a place on your Belgium bucket list .
Nov 1, 2022 · A visit to the historic city of Mechelen, Flanders. Climb Mechelen’s St Rumbold Tower, discover its fascinating history & join a brewery tour at Het Anker.
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Oct 17, 2019 · Old disused buildings have been re-purposed with a modern, useful edge and its friendly and fun people embrace and build on its eventful past. So, from colourful street art to world-class museums; lofty vistas to embarrassing tales of history, here are our best things to do in Mechelen.
