Mechelen
156169
220602707
2008-06-20T17:32:47Z
81.242.217.162
/* Twin cities */
{{otheruses}}
{{Infobox Belgium Municipality
|name=Mechelen
|picture=Malines1.jpg
|picture-width=250px
|picture-legend=Mechelen City Hall
|map=MechelenLocatie.png
|map-legend=[[Mechelen]] municipality and ''[[Arrondissements of Belgium|arrondissement]]'' in the [[Flemish Region|Flemish]] province of [[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp]]
|arms=COA_Mechelen_Belgium.jpg
|flag=MechelenVlag.gif
|region={{BE-REG-FLE}}
|community={{BE-NL}}
|province={{BE-PROV-AN}}
|arrondissement=Mechelen
|nis=12025
|pyramid-date=01/01/2006
|0-19=23.60
|20-64=58.51
|65=17.89
|foreigners=7.07
|foreigners-date=01/07/2005
|mayor=[[Bart Somers]] ([[VLD]])
|majority=[[VLD]], [[CD&V]], [[Groen!]], [[N-VA]], [[Independent (politics)|Ind.]]
|postal-codes=2800, 2801, 2811, 2812
|telephone-area=015 - 03
|web=[http://www.mechelen.be/ www.mechelen.be]
|lat_deg=51
|lat_min=01
|lon_deg=04
|lon_min=28
}}
'''Mechelen''' is a Dutch-speaking city and municipality in the province of Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper, some quarters at its outskirts, the hamlets of Nekkerspoel (adjacent) and Battel (a few kilometers away), as well as the villages of Walem, Heffen, Leest, Hombeek, and Muizen. The Dijle flows through the city, hence the term 'Dijlestad' (Dijle City).
Mechelen lies on the major urban & industrial axis Brussels-Antwerp, about 25 km from each city. Besides at Mechelen's southern industrial and northern office estates, many inhabitants find employment at offices in or industry near the capital, or at industrial plants near Antwerp's seaport.
==History==
[[Image:Mechelen Sint-Rombouts.JPG|thumb|left|Mechelen: Grote Markt (Large Market square), St. Rumbolds Cathedral]]
Archaeological proof of habition during the [[La Tene culture|La Tène era]] in the triangle [[Brussels]]-[[Leuven]]-[[Antwerp]], mainly concentrated around Mechelen which originated in wetlands, includes an 8.4 metre long canoe cut from an oak tree-trunk and a settlement of about five wooden houses, at [[Nekkerspoel]].<span style="vertical-align:middle"><ref>
{{nl icon}} {{cite web
|title=Virtueel museum: De metaaltijden
|publisher=archeoweb Mechelen
|url=http://archeoweb.mechelen.be/NL/virtueel/tijdslijn-detail.asp?id=2
|accessmonthday=[[January 27]]
|accessyear=[[2007]]}}</ref></span>
The area of Mechelen was settled on the banks of the river during the [[Gallo-Roman]] period as evidenced by several [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] ruins and roads. Upon Rome's declining influence, during the 3rd-4th century the area became inhabited by [[Germanic tribe]]s, a few centuries later [[Christianization|Christianized]] assumedly by the Irish or Scottish missionary [[St. Rumbold]], (''Rombout'' in Dutch), who also would have built a monastery.
Antwerp lost profitable ''stapelrechten'' (rights as first seller) for wool, oats and salt to Mechelen in 1303 when [[John II, Duke of Brabant|John II]], [[Duke of Brabant]], granted [[City rights]] to the town. This started a controversy between these cities that would last well into the 20th century... and possibly beyond.
In the 15th century, the city came under the reign of the [[Duke of Burgundy|Dukes of Burgundy]], marking the beginning of a prosperous period. In 1473 [[Charles, Duke of Burgundy|Charles the Bold]] moved several political entities to the city, and Mechelen served as the seat of the Superior Court until the [[French Revolution]].
The highly lucrative cloth trade gained Mechelen wealth and power during the [[Late Middle Ages]] and it even became the capital of the [[Low Countries]] (very roughly the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Luxembourg]]) in the first half of the 16th century under [[Margarete of Austria]]'s reign.
During the 16th century the city's political influence decreased dramatically, due to many governmental institutes being moved to [[Brussels]]. The city compensated for this by increased attention in the religious arena: in 1559 it was proclaimed the [[Archdiocese of Mechelen]], for Belgium not sharing this title with Brussels before 1961. In 1572, during the [[Eighty Years' War]], the city was burned and sacked by the [[Spain|Spanish]]. After this pillaging, the city was rebuilt. It was during this time that the tradition of furniture making, still seen today, began. In 1781, [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor]], ordered the destruction of the city's fortified walls — their former location however maintains to be referred to by the Latin terms ''intra muros'' (within the walls) and ''extra muros'' (outside), and meanwhile became the inner ring road.<span style="vertical-align:middle;"><ref>
{{nl icon}} {{cite web
|title=Map created c.1781 to depict which stategical defence structures had to be broken down
|publisher=beeldbankmechelen.be
|url=http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&topid=8&collection_id=1&data_id=2620&photo_id=10663
|accessmonthday=[[February 2]]
|accessyear=[[2007]]}}</ref></span>
The city entered the industrial age in the 19th century. In [[1835]], the first [[railway]] on the European continent linked [[Brussels]] with Mechelen, which became the hub of the Belgian railway network. This led to a development of metalworking industries, among others the central railway workshops which are still located in the town today. During World War II, the extensive Mechlinian<ref name=cityname>Footnote: Mechelen is known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived. Though this name was never entirely forgotton in English and may still be used mainly for a traditional or historical note, the city's name had become reintroduced in the English language by its French name 'Malines': The [[Southern Netherlands]] had been annexed by [[France]] by the end of the eighteenth century (1795–1815), and French was the single official language in early Belgium and remained dominant in Belgian diplomacy during most of the twentieth century. As elsewhere in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, though less than in cities like Ghent and Antwerp, the Mechlinian bourgeoisie had largely adopted French and French shop names are found on old postcards and photographs of 'Malines'. While this trend was reversed (or shop names in English appeared) and the [[Dutch language]] gained full recognition in Belgium, the English language gradually readopted the native name 'Mechelen' which became again the usual name in English during the second half of the twentieth century, this time spelled as in Dutch. In the third official language of Belgium, [[German language|German]], the city is named 'Mecheln'. Its names in [[French language|French]], in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ('Malinas'), and in [[neo-Latin]] ('Machlinia' or 'Mechlinia') resemble an [http://sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/prov/wiger000.htm early tenth century recording as 'Maslinas'] in [[Medieval Latin|Latin]], predating the actual city, while its vicinity was a detached belonging of the [[bishopric of Liège]]. Amongst the many other language and spelling variants during its history, the city may have been referred to as Malina, Maalinas, Machlines, Machlinia, Maclines, Maglinia, Magliniensis, Malinensis, Malisnacensis, Maslinas, Mechlineensis, Mechlinensis, Mechlinia, Mechliniensis, Mechlinium, Meclinia, and Meglinia.<br />A 'Mechlinian' is an inhabitant of this city or someone seen as born-and-raised there; the term is also the name of the city dialect; as an adjective 'Mechlinian' may refer to the city or to its dialect.</ref> railroad structure had caused the [[Nazi]] occupier to chose Mechelen for its [[Mechelen transit camp|infamous transit camp]].
Several famous meetings to the Christian religion are connected to the name of the city. One in 1909 is thought to have inaugurated the [[Liturgical Movement]]. Between 1921 and 1925 a series of unofficial conferences, known as the [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3818/is_199810/ai_n8819393 Malines Conversations],<ref name=cityname>Footnote: Mechelen is known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived. Though this name was never entirely forgotton in English and may still be used mainly for a traditional or historical note, the city's name had become reintroduced in the English language by its French name 'Malines': The [[Southern Netherlands]] had been annexed by [[France]] by the end of the eighteenth century (1795–1815), and French was the single official language in early Belgium and remained dominant in Belgian diplomacy during most of the twentieth century. As elsewhere in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, though less than in cities like Ghent and Antwerp, the Mechlinian bourgeoisie had largely adopted French and French shop names are found on old postcards and photographs of 'Malines'. While this trend was reversed (or shop names in English appeared) and the [[Dutch language]] gained full recognition in Belgium, the English language gradually readopted the native name 'Mechelen' which became again the usual name in English during the second half of the twentieth century, this time spelled as in Dutch. In the third official language of Belgium, [[German language|German]], the city is named 'Mecheln'. Its names in [[French language|French]], in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] ('Malinas'), and in [[neo-Latin]] ('Machlinia' or 'Mechlinia') resemble an [http://sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/prov/wiger000.htm early tenth century recording as 'Maslinas'] in [[Medieval Latin|Latin]], predating the actual city, while its vicinity was a detached belonging of the [[bishopric of Liège]]. Amongst the many other language and spelling variants during its history, the city may have been referred to as Malina, Maalinas, Machlines, Machlinia, Maclines, Maglinia, Magliniensis, Malinensis, Malisnacensis, Maslinas, Mechlineensis, Mechlinensis, Mechlinia, Mechliniensis, Mechlinium, Meclinia, and Meglinia.<br />A 'Mechlinian' is an inhabitant of this city or someone seen as born-and-raised there; the term is also the name of the city dialect; as an adjective 'Mechlinian' may refer to the city or to its dialect.</ref> presided over by [[Cardinal Mercier]] and attended by Anglican divines and laymen, including [[Lord Halifax]], was the most significant of early attempts at the reconciliation between the [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]] and [[Roman Catholic Church]]es.
== Local Fame ==
=== Folklore ===
Most cities in Flanders have a mock name for their inhabitants. Since 1687, for their heroic attempt to fight the ''fire'' high up in the Saint-Rumbolds Tower, where the gothic windows had shown the flaring of only the moon between clouds, Mechlinians have been called ''Maneblussers'' (Moon Extinguishers).
Once in 25 years, the [[Cavalcade]] reminds of the arrival of [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian of Austria]], father of Margarete, and other major events of the city's past; it is followed along the streets by the Ommegang. The latter had an extra edition in 2000 for the 500th anniversary of Charles Quint. This cortege shows the city's six 15-17th century Giants and other serious and humoresque typical huge puppets and carts, and is [[UNESCO]] [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]] since 2005.
The city's 17th century wooden mascotte is since 1775 called Opsinjoorke, the doll - later its replica - gets tolled about on a sheet as part of the Ommegang. Its recent bronze statue stands in front of the Belfry.
The annual parade of carts decorated with flowers, comparable with [[Blankenberge]] where Mechlinian florists still prepare up to half of those, and - original and appropriate for the area - with vegetables, has been indefinitely cancelled since the beginning of the 21st century for lack of financing by the City.<sub style="line-height:.9em;vertical-align:bottom;"><ref>{{nl icon}} [http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleID=G4AHB8FL ,,Bloemencorso moet terugkomen" ''Afgevoerde Mechelse bloementraditie leeft voort in Blankenberge''] journal Het Nieuwsblad, [[August 26]] [[2005]]</ref></sub>
In spring, a legendary holy statue of Our Lady is the main feat in the Procession of Hanswijk.
===Dialect===
Informally, many Mechlinians (in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''Mechelaars'' and locally pronounced ''Mecheleirs'', people from this city) daily speak Mechlinian (in Dutch as well as locally ''Mechels''), a dialect by Dutch-speakers of Belgium pin-pointingly distincted from other [[Brabantic]] dialects by three different vowels of Dutch (as in ''zout'' or ''rauw'', in ''kei'' or ''bijl'', in ''nu'') being typically pronounced as a same vowel — close to the one in English 'raw' which does not appear in other dialects of the [[Flemish Region]] or in [[Dutch language|standard Dutch]]. Since 1995 a subscribers' quarterly,'' 'De Mecheleir', '' shows old photographs of Mechelen and has stories on the local history as well as a few columns written mimicking the dialect, for which no spelling is generally determined.<ref>''De Mecheleir'' vzw Mechelen 2000+, subscribers' quarterly published by J. Somers, Mechelen</ref>
=== Specialties ===
[[Image:Het Anker.jpg|right|thumb|The brewery Het Anker, home of the Gouden Carolus beer]]
Historically famous Mechlinian trades: laken (woollen cloth), [[tapestries]], [[Leather#cordwain|cordwain]], ''[[Mechlin lace]]'' (precious [[bobbin lace]], already from the early 18th century), [[wood carving]] and [[sculpture|sculpturing]], furniture.
The area around Mechelen is famous for the culture of [[vegetables]], among which [[endive|Belgian endive]] (''witloof''), [[asparagus]] and [[cauliflower]]. Originated in the city, the ''Mechelse Veilingen'' in neighbouring [[Sint-Katelijne-Waver]] is the largest [[co-operative]] vegetable [[auction]] in Europe.<ref>[http://www.mv.be/EN/index.asp Mechelse Veilingen website] — navigate 'The Company' or read [http://www.mv.be/EN/VMV_Nutshell.htm here]</ref>
One of the four breeds of the Belgian Sheepdog is the local [[Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)|Malinois]]. The [[Chickens#Chicken breeds|Mechelse koekoek]] is a local [[poultry]] breed, fleshy [[chicken]]s with black and white feathers which extend on the bird's legs, with colours reminiscent of a [[cuckoo]], hence the name.
Mechelsen Bruynen was allegedly the emperor Charles V's favourite beer. A version is still brewed in the city at Het Anker brewery.
=== Sports ===
Home of two of the oldest Belgian [[Football (soccer)|football]] clubs, founded in 1904: [[K.R.C. Mechelen]] and [[K.V. Mechelen]]. The latter contributed to the international glamour of the city by winning the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] and the [[European Super Cup]] in 1988. The number of lesser local teams shows this sport's popularity: Rapid Leest, Sporting Mechelen, Leest Utd., VV Leest, Walem, Heffen, Zennester Hombeek, FC Muizen.
== Places of interest ==
[[Image:St-Romboutskathedraal3.jpg|thumb|right|St. Rumbolds Cathedral|200px]]
[[Image:Groen waterke Mechelen a.JPG|thumb|right|200px|'''t Groen Waterke'']]
* The [[St. Rumbolds Cathedral|Sint-Romboutskathedraal (St. Rumbolds Cathedral)]] with its dominating tower ([[UNESCO]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe#Belgium|World Heritage ''<span style="font-size:x-small">ID 943-016</span>'']]) ; the Sint-Janskerk (Church of St. John the Evangelist) exhibits 'The Adoration of the Magi' and the Kerk van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-over-de-Dijle (Church of Our Lady across the river Dijle) 'The Miraculous Draught of Fishes', paintings by [[Peter Paul Rubens|Rubens]] ; the domed [[baroque]] Basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Hanswijk ([[Basilica]] of Our Lady of Hanswyck) by native architect [[Lucas Faydherbe]], of whom some sculptures can also be found in the cathedral - he was a pupil and leading assistant of Rubens; the baroque Begijnhofkerk (Church of the Beguines, dedicated to St. Alexis and St. Catherine) ; the former Jesuit church Sint-Pieter en Pauluskerk (Saints Peter and Paul).
* The [[Brusselpoort]], last remaining of the city's twelve gates, 13th century; the Schepenhuis, oldest stone-built city hall in Flanders, historical seat of the 'Grote Raad' (Great Council or Supreme Court), 13th century; the [[gothic architecture|gothic]]-[[renaissance]] Hof van Busleyden where [[Jerome (de) Busleyden|Jeroom alias Hiëronymus van Busleyden]] received [[Erasmus]], [[Thomas More]], and the later [[Pope Adrian VI]]. These three recently restored buildings together now house the City Museum.
* The Palace of [[Margaret of York]] when widowed of [[Charles, Duke of Burgundy|Charles the Bold]], now the City Theatre; the oldest renaissance building north of the Alps, Palace of archduchess [[Margarete of Austria]] while as regent of the Netherlands still raising the later [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles Quint]], then for centuries the Supreme though now a lower Court of Justice; in one of these palaces, [[Anne Boleyn]] was educated for some time as well; the Palace of the [[Archbishop]] of the [[Mechelen-Brussels|Roman Catholic province Belgium]], still in use for its original purpose by [[Godfried Danneels|Cardinal Danneels]]. These palaces may not be open to the public in general but do offer a good external view.
* The Lakenhal (hall for merchants of woollen cloth) and the 14th century [[Bell tower|Belfry]] ([[UNESCO]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe#Belgium|World Heritage ''<span style="font-size:x-small">ID 943-015</span>'']]) beside it, form now the City Hall at the Grand Market square.
* The Klein Begijnhof and the Groot Begijnhof ([[UNESCO]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe#Belgium|World Heritage ''<span style="font-size:x-small">ID 855-003</span>'']]) (Small and Large [[Beguinage|Béguinages]])
* The Jewish Museum of Deportation and the Resistance (see under External links)
* [[Technopolis (Belgium)|Technopolis]], center for hands-on Science and Technology.
* The Toy Museum at Nekkerspoel (see under External links)
* The animal park Planckendael in Muizen (see under External links)
* The Kruidtuin or "Botanique" inner city park with marble statue of the world famous 16th century [[herbalism|herbalist]] [[Rembert Dodoens|Rembert Dodoens alias Dodonæus]]; the foresty Vrijbroek recreational park with around June its outstanding Rose Gardens and in summer its Dahlia Garden; the Tivoli Park with Children's Farm
* Places less accessible or outstanding, or contrarily of a more particular interest:
:*The Refuge of Sint-Truiden and the Refuge of Tongerlo, retreat mansions for distant abbeys, the latter now housing the Manufacturer De Wit which restores the finest [[tapestries]], for which Flanders was famous in the 16th century.
:*'t Groen Waterke, a picturesque small remnant of bygone [[canal#Cities on water|canal]]s — in particular of the Melaan, of which a longer stretch was after more than a century uncovered in 2007.
:*A stone pillar ''De Mijlpaal'', now prominent in front of the station, had marked the nearby destination point of the first passenger train ride on the continent. The name was adopted by the railway workers' club for miniature model trains, and by a small museum housed in one of the oldest railroad buildings commemorates the historical event and consequent local industry of national importance.<ref>{{nl icon}} [http://www.erfgoednet.be/mechelen/index.cfm?action=INST&subject=1028 Railway industrial archeology museum ''De Mijlpaal'']</ref>
:*The Clock Museum, also known as the Watchmakers' Museum
:*The [[Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"]] where carillonneurs come from around the world to study the [[carillon]] and playing of the instrument. In fine rococo house 'The ship'.
:*The Theravada Buddhist place of worship Wat Dhammaprateep (Temple of the Flame of Truth or Reality as taught by the Enlightened One) has since 2005 on its grounds an in China beautifully sculptured Buddha seated on a soccle, both in dark green marble - the tallest Buddha statue in Europe.
:*There are over 300 protected monuments in Mechelen.<ref>
{{Cite web
|title=Mechelen — a unique experience
|publisher=on www.visitflanders.co.uk — K. Vancraeynest D/2005/0797/061 supported by City of Mechelen, Province of Antwerp, Tourism Flanders
|date=[[June 10]], [[2005]]
|format=pdf
|url=http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/pdf/brochures/mechelen/mechelen_brochure.pdf
|accessmonthday=[[January 27]]
|accessyear=[[2007]]
}}</ref>
* Many interesting [[facades]] along an easy walk from AB-straat by Katelijnestraat towards the Grote Markt, just behind the Schepenhuis turn right along IJzerenleen and before the Grootbrug (bridge) again right to the Vismarkt, always maintain left along a few curves and across the Kraanbrug (bridge) on the Haverwerf, pass the renewed complex of the former Lamot brewery; from the Grootbrug have a look on the river but stay on this bank: turn right onto the Zoutwerf till De Zalm (The Salmon), originally House of the Fishermans' [[Guild]], tread back and turn left to the Korenmarkt where minor traces of an early cloth hall remain: a 12-13th century wall and ditch held Mechelen on this side of the river.
==Famous inhabitants==
See also: [[Notable people from Mechelen]]
*[[Margaret of York]], Duchess of Burgundy (1446-1503) Note: several children who later became queens of European countries had received an education at her court.
*[[John Heywood]], [[England|English]] poet (1497-c. 1575)
*[[Margarete of Austria]], regent of the [[Netherlands]], daughter of [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] and guardian of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] (1480-1530)
*[[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]], brought up in Mechelen until age 17 (1500-1558)
*[[Anne Boleyn]], future wife of English King Henry VIII (1504-1536)<sub style="vertical-align:middle;"><ref>The birth date of Anne Boleyn is uncertain. From the spring of 1513 to the autumn of 1514, as daughter of a high ranked diplomat she lived either in [[Margarete of Austria|Margarete]]'s palace, as the later [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles Quint]], if she would have been nearly his age; or just across the street in [[Margaret of York]]'s palace if significantly younger. Margarete of Austria affectionately referred to Anne as "la Petite Boleyn" during a formative stage in her upbringing at the court. </ref></sub>
*[[Rembert Dodoens]], botanist, herbalist, and physician (1517-1585)
*[[Philippe de Monte]], [[Renaissance]] composer (1521-1603)
*[[François René Mallarmé]], [[France|French]] politician in exile (1755-1835)
==Twin cities==
*{{NED}}: [[Helmond]]
*{{FRA}}: [[Dijon]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Arvada, Colorado|Arvada]], [[Colorado]], [[United States of America]]
*{{BOL}}: [[Sucre]]
*{{ROM}}: [[Sibiu]]
==See also==
[[Nekkerspoel]]
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Mechelen}}
*[http://www.stadmechelen.be/stadsplan/stadsplan.pdf Resizable official plan of the municipality and of the city (pdf)]
*[http://www.mechelen.be Official website] - links to versions in {{en icon}} {{fr icon}} {{de icon}} that are partially constructed (May 2006)
<!--next link is relevant for Mechelen, for Margarete of Austria, for Tapestry-->
*[http://millennium.arts.kuleuven.ac.be/swt/bib_earticles_delmarcel_passion.htm Studies in Western Tapestry - The passion tapestries of Margaret of Austria (Guy Delmarcel)]
*[http://www.cicb.be/ Jewish Museum of Deportation and the Resistance]
*[http://www.technopolis.be/eng/ Technopolis]
*[http://www.speelgoedmuseum.be/ Toy Museum]
*{{nl icon}} {{fr icon}} [http://www.planckendael.be/content/index.asp Planckendael zoo]
*{{nl icon}} [http://www.provant.be/groendommech/vrijbroek/subindex.htm Vrijbroek]
*[http://webid23.siskin.cipal.com/archief/mch-brln.htm 1775 Mechelen city plan] {{fr icon}} engraving by Berlin with c.1777 {{nl icon}} legend ([http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&topid=8&collection_id=1&data_id=2639&photo_id=10682&PHPSESSID=a1e4a06118787ee8aaf33aec258c2ddf map info])
*{{nl icon}} [http://www.rim.be Restauratie Integratie Mechelen] a local heritage conservation organisation ({{en icon}} summary page)
*[http://www.peterthomas.eu/mechelen/pdfs/mechelen_walks_historic.pdf Historic Walking Tour of Mechelen]
*[http://www.peterthomas.eu/mechelen/pdfs/mechelen_walks_beguinages.pdf Historic Walking Tour of Mechelen's Beguinages]
*[http://www.belgiumcities.info/Mechelen_12_General_Summary_1.html Concise Tourist Guide to Mechelen]
== Books ==
*ISBN 90-5837-089-5, Michelin's "De Grote Gids België"
== References ==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>
{{Antwerpen_Belgium}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Belgium]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Flanders]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Antwerp]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Belgium]]
[[Category:Lordship of Mechelen| ]]
[[Category:Burgundian Circle]]
[[Category:Seventeen Provinces]]
[[Category:Mechelen| ]]
[[br:Mechelen (kêr)]]
[[ca:Mechelen]]
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[[la:Maclinia]]
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[[li:Mechele (Antwerpe)]]
[[hu:Mechelen (város)]]
[[nl:Mechelen (stad)]]
[[ja:メヘレン]]
[[nap:Malines]]
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[[ru:Мехелен]]
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