| Mechelen | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Flanders | |
| Territory | Province of Antwerp | |
| Surface | 33.71 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 86.304 (2018) | |
| POSTAL CODE | 2800, 2811, 2801, 2812 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Mechelen (or Malines) is a city of Flanders.
To know
Geographical notes
It is a city located on the River Dyle in the center of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It is located halfway between Antwerp is Brussels and has about 80,000 inhabitants.
Background
| Maneblusser |
The inhabitants are called "Maneblusser" (moon extinguishers). The story goes that one day long ago the moonlight shone on the still unfinished St. Romboutstoren and that some people thought it was burning. The whole city was mobilized to extinguish the fire but there was no fire to put out. |
Although in the shadow of Brussels, Mechelen is a historically important city in its own right. From 1506 to 1530 it was the capital of the Netherlands under Margaret of Austria. In 1559 it became an archbishopric, a sign of great importance for the city. It was famous for its wood carvings, some of which can still be seen in the churches of the city, and for the manufacture of lace and tapestries.
Today it mixes fashion and traditional. Its music box school is world famous, and trains students in the art of playing music boxes, with a series of 24 or more bells hanging from the church towers. The downtown shops are often housed in buildings with old-fashioned Flemish architecture, but offer youthful fashions that appeal to new generations.
Mechelen is transforming into the center of non-profit or non-governmental organizations for Flanders. Some famous examples are Natuurpunt, AFS and the Red Cross. This is mainly due to the fact that it is easily accessible (by train or motorway) but not as expensive as Brussels.
Mechelen also has its own local encyclopedia, called Mechelen Mapt, written in Dutch with short English translations.
How to orient yourself
Mechelen: full screen map.How to get
By plane
- 1 Antwerp-Deurne Airport (IATA: ANR). A small airport that caters mainly to business travelers, as, due to the length of its runway, it can only be served by small planes. There are regular flights to commercial destinations such as London or Geneva,. Some holiday flights, as well as heavy unscheduled traffic (mainly private and chartered jets). The downside of the small size of the airport is that the arrival and departure procedures are very quick compared to large hubs.
- 2 Brussels International Airport (IATA: BRU). Most visitors land at Brussels National Airport (Brussel-Nationaal luchthaven), called by its old name "Zaventem".
- 3 Charleroi-Brussels South Airport (IATA: CRL). The planes of some low cost airlines such as Ryanair land at Charleroi (Charleroi-Brussels-South airport), which has become the second international airport in the capital. From there, there are buses between the airport and Charleroi station. Generally the first ride is at 04:33 and the last at 22:40. For more detailed information you can consult the website of the SNCB which provides train timetables in PDF format based on the selected time slot. Keep in mind that the shuttle bus between the airport and the train station has a frequency of half an hour.
By car
Mechelen can be reached by taking the E19 motorway.
On the train
Mechelen is easily accessible by train. From Brussels is Antwerp it takes about 25 minutes.
- 4 [link not working]Mechelen station (Station Mechelen), Koning Albertplein 2. The main train station in Mechelen with many connections in all directions.
- 5 Mechelen-Nekkerspoel station (Station Mechelen-Nekkerspoel). Mechelen secondary station. This station is located a little closer to the historic center, so it might be convenient if you want to start your visit in this part of the city. However, check if your train stops here as most fast trains go further.
By bus
It can also be reached by taking a bus from Antwerp. Just outside the main train station you will find a bus station with connections to many places nearby.
How to get around
The city center is about a 15 minute walk from the train station. Mechelen is a very compact city, so you can reach most places on foot. There are a few bus lines that run through and radiate from the city center in case you need them.
By public transport
- 6 Bus terminal, Stationsstraat (In front of Mechelen station).
What see
- 1 Cathedral of San Rombaldo and bell tower (Sint-Romboutskathedraal), Onder-Den-Toren 12.
Entrance to the bell tower: € 8 full, € 6 reduced, € 3 children (Apr 2019). 
The bell tower can be visited Mon-Sun 13: 00-18: 00, Sun 10: 00-18: 00. 
The largest of Mechelen's 8 churches, with a tall tower (although not as tall as initially expected, construction soon stopped due to lack of money). Notable works of art include the carved wooden pulpit from 1723, painted triptychs dating from the late 15th and early 16th centuries and an image of the "Madonna dei Miracoli" which has been in the cathedral since the earliest days. years of the sixteenth century.
Entrance to the bell tower: € 8 full, € 6 reduced, € 3 children (Apr 2019). 
The bell tower can be visited Mon-Sun 13: 00-18: 00, Sun 10: 00-18: 00. 
The largest of Mechelen's 8 churches, with a tall tower (although not as tall as initially expected, construction soon stopped due to lack of money). Notable works of art include the carved wooden pulpit from 1723, painted triptychs dating from the late 15th and early 16th centuries and an image of the "Madonna dei Miracoli" which has been in the cathedral since the earliest days. years of the sixteenth century.
- 2 Market Square (Grote Markt). The cathedral crosses one end of the square with the Town Hall on the opposite side, in it there are restaurants and cafes lined up on both sides.
- 3 Town Hall of Mechelen (Stadhuis van Mechelen), Grote Markt. The town hall is also a Unesco site together with the cathedral for its bell tower.
- 4 Mechelen transit camp (Dossinkazerne), Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, ☎ 32 15 29 06 60, @[email protected]. € 10 regular, € 4 for students up to 21 years, free for children up to 10 years. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9: 00-17: 00. Sat-Sun: 9: 30-17: 00. This museum and memorial opened in 2012. It documents the history of the Holocaust and human rights. The barracks (Dutch: Kazerne) were a waiting place for Jews from all over Belgium and northern France. Here they literally awaited their deportation to the death camps. There is a bathroom available for disabled people.
- 5 Palace of Margaret of Austria (Hof van Savoye). An unassuming ensemble of buildings on Keizerstraat which was effectively the seat of government during Mechelen's time as the capital of the Netherlands. Today it houses government offices, but the inner courtyard is worth a short visit to admire the peaceful and well-organized gardens.
- 6 Van Busleyden Palace (Hof van Busleyden), Frederik de Merodestraat 65. € 9 regular, € 5 for -26, free for children under 12. Hieronymus of Busleyden allowed himself this namesake courthouse in a rich Renaissance style, making it one of the most beautiful buildings in Mechelen. Destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt to house the municipal museum, which has been undergoing renovations since 2017.
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- 7 Church of San Giovanni (Sint-Janskerk). Tue-Sun 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm. One of the 8 historic churches of Mechelen, with a remarkable Rubens painting / triptych "Adoration of the Magi". Wauters' painting of the crucifixion is also impressive.
- 8 Church of the Beguinage (Begijnhofkerk). Another of the churches is known for the two statues above the door, one of Saint Catherine and one of God the Father.
- 9 Beguinage of Mechelen (Groot Begijnhof). This building is also part of the Unesco sites relating to the Flemish beguinages of Belgium.
- 10 [link previously not working]Tongerlo Abbey Refuge. Historically the refuge for the abbey in times of attack, it is now the home of De Wit, royal tapestry makers. There are guided tours on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am.
- 11 Houses of the sixteenth century (Cross the river in front of the Vismarkt and turn right). The three surviving wooden houses have elaborate carvings on the front elevations. The buildings are privately owned.
- 12 Vrijbroekpark.
Museums
- 13 Toy Museum (Speelgoedmuseum).
- 14 Clock Museum (Horlogeriemuseum), Lange Schipstraat 13. Privately owned museum where the owners, both watchmakers, take a very interesting personal tour. Come one hour before closing time to be able to enjoy the full tour and explanations.
- 15 Technopolis, Technologielaan, ☎ 32 15 34-2000. Adults or children over 12 years: € 9.50; Children (3-11 years): € 7; Children under 3 years: free. Mon-Sun 9: 30-17: 00. Science museum for children of all ages.
Events and parties
- weekly music box concerts, Sint-Rombouts tower. Saturday at 11.30am and Sunday at 3.00pm all year round. Lasting one hour on the carillon of the Sint-Rombouts tower. During the summer (June to September) there are concerts on Monday evenings.
- Maanrock, Grote Markt and in the IJzerenleen. End of August. A free 2-day festival with different stages of music and DJs, starting in the early afternoon and into the early hours of the morning.
What to do
- Take a boat cruise along the waterways. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs € 6. Departures are every hour to every half hour, from Haverwerf.
Shopping
- The main shopping streets are Bruul is IJzerenleen, both radiate from the Market Square.
- There are several chocolate shops near the Grote Markt, but try the local one, Gauthier, on the IJzerenleen; it is very good and not as expensive as Neuhaus. They also have some spice cakes and cookies.
- If you are out and about on Saturday morning there is a market open in Grote Markt is in the Botermarkt. There are many food stands (cheese, meat, fish, produce, prepared food) but also others of (basic clothing, shoes, linen).
- There is a supermarket Match on Haverwerf, if you need self-catering supplies. The Smatch up Blauwhondstraat (between IJzerenleen and Bruul, near the Grote Markt) is smaller but is open on Sunday mornings.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
Mechelen used to have one of the highest crime rates in Flanders, but it is now a safe city. There have been many improvements in recent years, especially in tourist areas.
