Sightseeing in Mechelen - what to see. Complete travel guide

This Belgian town has recently become very popular among Russian tourists. Since ancient times Mechelen has been famous for bell art. Many bells manufactured by local artists are installed in largest churches of Moscow and St. Petersburg. There is also an old school of bell ringers named Het Shipka in Mechelen.

When it comes to historical and architectural monuments of the town, we can definitely mention St. Rumbolt Cathedral. Some of the towers of the cathedral have a height of 97 meters. In order to climb to the top of the tower, one needs to go through 514 steps. The observation area on the top of the tower features perfectly visible neighborhoods of Mechelen. When the weather is clear you can see the shape of Antwerp on the horizon. The altar of the cathedral is made of marble. The master worked over its creation in 1665. If you walk behind the altar, you will see beautiful frescoes, triptychs and sculptures that were created in the 14th - 16th centuries. The most precious decoration of this holy place is the painting of Van Dyck titled “The Crucifixion of Christ”.

The most important historical value of the town is the monument of Marguerite of Austria, who was the aunt of Charles the Fifth. During her reign the city experienced a period of rapid growth. The Town Hall and the Palace of Margaret of Austria continue the architectural complex. These buildings amazingly combine best traditions of gothic style and renaissance. Today the City Court is located in the walls of the palace. Church of St. John is one of the best examples of the Baroque style, and Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral features a rich collection of paintings which belong to the 17th century. Walking around town is, without a doubt, an unforgettable experience, and new discoveries lay at simply every step because in Mechelen you will find many theaters, museums and exhibition centers. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The first mention of the city dates back to the 11th century. Many of its present streets are historical; they have not changed their location for almost a thousand years. Currently in the vicinity of Mechelen, there are many important archaeological areas in which researchers discovered artifacts from the times of the Roman Empire. Some areas are open to tourists for visiting, and the finds of archaeologists can be admired in local museums.

In the 16th century, the city almost completely lost its unique appearance. It was destroyed during the hostilities in the course of the struggle for independence. As early as the 17th century, residents managed to restore their homes and many historical monuments, as well as factories in which high-quality fabrics and laces are still produced. These historical factories are among the important historical sites. They conduct fascinating excursions for tourists.

Among the historical symbols of Mechelen, the House of Busleyden is noteworthy. In the 16th century, it belonged to a famous politician and scientist. The luxurious gothic mansion bears the name of its owner even now. For several decades, the building housed the Mechelen City Museum. Its collection is very extensive and encompasses the most diverse aspect of history and culture. Collections of artistic masterpieces, ancient precious exhibits, objects of everyday life of the past centuries and military artifacts are just a part of the museum's rich collection.

There are several unique monuments of world importance in the city. The Great Beguinage at Mechelen was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a large-scale architectural complex. Its construction began in the 13th century. Now the central part of the complex is occupied by the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. It is surrounded by ancient residential buildings. Today, a significant part of the old houses is privately owned, but some mansions can be visited by tourists.

Among the other outstanding attractions is the Clock and Watch Museum, housed in a beautiful historical building. It stores unique watches, which the masters made several hundred years ago. Some of the exhibits are in a single copy. Tourists with children will be interested in the Toy Museum, which also contains many interesting old exhibits. The Museum of Railway Transport will be an excellent place for a family visit.