The beauty of Mechelen
21st June 2006
Situated roughly half-way between Brussels and Antwerp, the town of Mechelen was originally founded in the early Middle Ages.
The pretty town has a number of attractions, not least the River Dijle, which winds its way through Mechelen and has resulted in the creation of some particularly ornate bridges. The town is full of examples of delicate architecture and this is most evident in the main square, where a large central statue is overlooked by beautifully-crafted buildings on each side.
Mechelen was for a time the most important town in the Low Countries and has remained the religious headquarters of Belgium to this day, with the Archbishop of Belgium residing in the town.
One of the most remarkable buildings in Mechelen is the St Rumbold's cathedral. A massive tower stands at one end of the cathedral, measuring nearly 100,000 metres and is an iconic feature which can be seen from across the region. Those visitors willing to climb the 514 steps to the upper gallery are rewarded with wonderful views across Mechelen and beyond.
The former palace of Margaret of Austria is also an impressive building which is worth a visit, truly fit for royalty, there are also many other picturesque buildings, such as the Town Hall, for visitors to enjoy.
One of the main attractions of Mechelen is its shopping, which is enhanced by the fact that the town centre is a low-traffic area, meaning shoppers can enjoy the streets without the buzz and business of cars.
© Adfero Ltd
| Bookmark with: | ||||
 Delicious |  Digg |  reddit |  Facebook |  StumbleUpon |
Recommended Mechelen Breaks
3* Novotel Mechelen Centrum from £129
The modern Novotel Mechelen has 122 bedrooms. The Novotel Mechelen Hotel is located in the centre of the city, close to the Town Hall, and the Grote Markt Square. More Info
Send to a Friend
Email Newsletter
Subscribe to the railbookers.com newsletter for all our latest special offers and news.
