St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal) is the largest of the 8 churches in Mechelen, with a high tower (though not as high as originally planned - construction stopped early due to lack of money). Notable works of art include the carved wood pulpit from 1723, painted triptychs dating to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and an image of "Our Lady of Miracles" which has been in the cathedral since the early 16th century.
The Museum of Toys (Speelgoedmuseum)
The Market Square (Grote Markt) has the cathedral cutting across one end and the Town Hall at the opposite end, with restaurants and cafes lining the sides between the two.
The main shopping streets are Bruul and IJzerenleen, both radiating out from the Market Square.
Vrijbroek Park (Vrijbroekpark)
Refuge of the Abbey of Tongerlo. Historically the refuge for the abbey in times of attack, it is now the home of De Wit , royal manufacturers of tapestry. There are guided visits on Saturday mornings at 1030.
Hof van Busleyden is an eclectic museum with items of local interest. Paintings, sculpture, tapestries, the town mascot, and the chains from the old jail - there's a little of everything. Explanations are in Dutch only, but with free entry it's still worth a visit.
Sint-Janskerk is one of the 8 historic churches in Mechelen, with a notable Reubens painting/triptych "Adoration of the Magi". The painting of the crucifixion by Wauters is also very impressive. Open 1:30-5:30 PM except Mondays and during services.
The Begijnhofkerk, another of the churches, is known for the two statues above the door, one of Saint Catherine and one of God the Father.
The Palace of Margaret of Austria is an unassuming set of buildings on Keizerstraat that was effectively the seat of government during Mechelen's time as capital of the Netherlands. Today it houses government offices, but the interior courtyard is worth a brief visit to admire the tranquil and well-organized gardens.
Clocks and watches museum (horlogeriemuseum) Privately run museum where the owners, both watchmakers, give you a very interesting personal tour. Do come an hour before closing time to be able to have the full tour and explanations. Address: Lange schipstraat 13 More info:
16th Century Houses, cross the river in front of the Vismarkt and turn right. The three surviving timber houses have elaborate carvings on the front elevations. The houses are privately owned.
Technopolis, Technologielaan, 2800 Mechelen, ☎ +32 (0)15 34 2000, . Open every day from 9h30 till 17h00. Hands on science museum for kids of all ages.Adults or children over 12 years old: €9.50; Children (3-11 years old): €7; Children under the age of 3: Free. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Mechelen
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Mechelen - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Mechelen hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
Mechelen Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
