According to PROEXCHANGERATES, Mechelen is a city in Flanders, Belgium, located south of Antwerp. This city of the Maneblussers has an authentic historic city center in which there are a fairly large number of Catholic buildings. In addition to churches, you will also find a fairly large number of museums in Mechelen. With less than a hundred thousand inhabitants, Mechelen is a relatively small city where the center is compact enough to visit all the highlights of Mechelen in one or two days. You then still have plenty of time to enjoy the many excellent catering establishments that Mechelen has. In the city center you will find a wide choice of good restaurants and of course a number of atmospheric Belgian pubs where you can enjoy delicious beers.
Top 10 Things to Do in Mechelen
#1. St. Rumbold
‘s Cathedral This impressive cathedral is the symbol of the city of Mechelen. You can hardly avoid it. The famous high tower was never completely finished. This had to do with the bad financial situation at the time. The beginning of construction was made in the 13th century. The St. Rumbold’s Cathedral is built in Gothic style and has no less than six floors in its tower. Here are the Crane Room, Blacksmith Room, Clock Room, Clock Room, Carillon Room and Ash Cellar.
#2. Hof van Busleyden
This beautiful palace once belonged to the wealthy Jeroen van Busleyden, who is known as the founder of the Collegium Trilingue at the University of Leuven and as the patron saint of artists. His large collection of art can be seen in the Hof van Busleyden. The Hof van Busleyden is now used as the Municipal Museum of the city of Mechelen.
#3. Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk
The city of Mechelen has many historic buildings and churches to visit. A very special church is the Baroque-style Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Hanswijk basilica. It was built in the 17th century. The inside has beautiful pieces with the pulpit as the highlight.
#4. Churches
The city center of Mechelen has quite a bit of ecclesiastical heritage. You will find a number of baroque and gothic churches scattered throughout the center. The most beautiful examples are St. John’s Church, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-over-de-Dijlekerk, Begijnhofkerk, Sint-Katelijnekerk, Sint Pieter-en-Paulkerk, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Leliëndaalkerk. With a visit to the churches you will quickly notice that each church has its own specific characteristics.
#5. Grote Markt
On this centrally located square you will find the city hall, which is built in three parts. This is located on the east side of the Grote Markt. Most events are held on this largest square in the city. It is a pleasant square with a number of terraces and restaurants. The beautiful old facades of this building show that the city carries with it a large piece of history.
#6. Town Hall
The striking town hall is located on the Grote Markt in Mechelen. Due to the different architectural styles, it is easy to see that it consists of three parts. There is the Palace of the Great Council, the belfry and the cloth hall. The cloth hall was added last. In the past, the trade was mainly in textile products.
#7. Large and Small Beguinage
A beguinage is actually a residential community created for and by women who wanted to profess their faith with possession of their own material things and the possibility to provide for themselves. This was often done by taking care of the sick and the elderly. This in contrast to a life in the monastery where it was mainly sober and without own income. The city of Mechelen has a small and large Beguinage. The small typical houses within such a courtyard each tell their own story. There are several walks that can be done with the explanation of a city guide.
#8. Brusselpoort
The only remaining city gate of the city is the Brusselpoort. Originally, the city of Mechelen had no fewer than twelve city gates. Many of these gates were demolished under the reign of Joseph II who ordered much of the fortress to be demolished. Because the city has expanded quite a bit over the years, the Brusselpoort is now located on the city’s ring road. Today it is a museum with mainly information and archaeological finds that tell about the history of the city.
#9. Holocaust
Museum This special museum of deportation and resistance was built on the site from where people were actually deported to Auschwitz. The ‘Dossin barracks’ used to be here. The newly built museum is eager to become a worthy counterpart to the three major Holocaust memorials in Washington, Jerusalem and Berlin. In the course of 2012 the museum will be accessible.
#10. Boat trip on the Binnendijle
To admire Mechelen in an original way, we advise you to take a boat trip. You will then sail with a guide on the water of the Binnendijle from the Haverwerf. You will pass the Grootbrug, Vismarkt and many particularly beautiful historic buildings in the city of Mechelen. It is very relaxing to watch the crowds pass you by along the quays from the boat.
TIP: Don’t pay too much for your hotel
In recent years, dozens of hotel booking sites have emerged that allow you to book hotels online in cities such as Mechelen. Do you want to compare all providers in one go and find the cheapest room? Then go to Trivago Mechelen. There you can immediately see per hotel, B&B or apartment where you can book the cheapest rooms for your travel dates at that time!
