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Mechelen

Coordinates:51°01′40″N4°28′50″E/ 51.02778°N 4.48056°E/51.02778; 4.48056
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Not to be confused withMachelenorMichelin.
"Mechlin" redirects here. For other uses, seeMechlin (disambiguation)andMechelen (disambiguation).

Mechelen
Malines(French)
Municipality
Left to right, top to bottom: View of the city withSt. Rumbold's Cathedralon the far left,Grote Marktwith Mechelen City Hall,Brusselpoort,Hof van Savoye,IJzerenleenin the city center with theSchepenhuis
Flag of Mechelen
Flag
Coat of arms of Mechelen
Coat of arms
Location of Mechelen
Map
Mechelen is located in Belgium
Mechelen
Mechelen
Location in Belgium
Mechelen municipality andarrondissementin theFlemishprovince ofAntwerp
Coordinates:51°01′40″N4°28′50″E/ 51.02778°N 4.48056°E/51.02778; 4.48056
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceAntwerp
ArrondissementMechelen
Government
• MayorBart Somers(Open VLD)
• Governing party/iesOpen VLD-Groen-M+
Area
• Total65.79 km2(25.40 sq mi)
Population
(2020-01-01)[1]
• Total86,921
• Density1,300/km2(3,400/sq mi)
Postal codes
2800, 2801, 2811, 2812
NIS code
12025
Area codes015–03
Websitewww.mechelen.beEdit this at Wikidata

Mechelen(Dutch pronunciation:[ˈmɛxələ(n)]ⓘ;French:Malines[malin];historically known asMechlinin English[n 1]) is a city andmunicipalityin the province ofAntwerpin theFlemish RegionofBelgium.The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper, some quarters at its outskirts, the hamlets ofNekkerspoel(adjacent) and Battel (a few kilometers away), as well as the villages of Walem,Heffen,Leest, Hombeek, and Muizen. The riverDyle(Dijle) flows through the city, hence it is often referred to as theDijlestad( "City on the Dyle" ).

Mechelen lies on themajor urban and industrial axisBrussels–Antwerp,about 25 km (16 mi) from each city. Inhabitants find employment at Mechelen's southern industrial and northern office estates, as well as at offices or industry near the capital andBrussels Airport,or at industrial plants nearAntwerp's seaport.

Mechelen is one of Flanders' prominent cities of historical art, withAntwerp,Bruges,Brussels,Ghent,andLeuven.It was notably a centre for artistic production during theNorthern Renaissance,when painters, printmakers, illuminators and composers ofpolyphonywere attracted by patrons such asMargaret of York,Margaret of AustriaandHieronymus van Busleyden.[2][3][4]

History

[edit]

Early ages

[edit]

Archaeological proof of habitation during theLa Tène erain the triangleBrussels–Leuven–Antwerp,mainly concentrated around Mechelen, which originated in wetlands, includes an 8.4-metre-long (28 ft) canoe cut from an oak tree trunk and a settlement of about five wooden houses, atNekkerspoel.[5]

The area of Mechelen was settled on the banks of the river during theGallo-Romanperiod as evidenced by severalRomanruins and roads. Upon Rome's declining influence during 3rd–4th centuries, the area became inhabited byGermanic tribes.A few centuries later, it waschristianized,assumedly by the Irish or Scottish missionarySt Rumbold(Dutch:Rombout), who was also said to have built a monastery. Work on the cathedral that is dedicated to the saint started around 1200.

Antwerp lost profitablestapelrechten(rights as first seller) for wool, oats and salt to Mechelen in 1303 whenJohn II,Duke of Brabant,grantedcity rightsto the town. This started a rivalry between these cities that would last well into the 20th century.

15th–18th centuries

[edit]
Taking of Mechelen by theGeuzenunder the command of Olivier van Tympele and John Norreys on 9 April 1580byNicolaas van Eyck

In the 15th century, the city came under the rule of theDukes of Burgundy,marking the beginning of a prosperous period. In 1473,Charles the Boldmoved several political bodies to the city, and Mechelen served as the seat of theSuperior Courtuntil theFrench Revolution.In 1490, a regular postal service between Mechelen andInnsbruckwas established.

The highly lucrative cloth trade gained Mechelen wealth and power during theLate Middle Agesand it even became the capital of theLow Countries(very roughly theNetherlands,Belgium andLuxembourg) in the first half of the 16th century underArchduchess Margaret of Austria.

During the 16th century, the city's political influence decreased dramatically, due to many governmental institutions being moved toBrusselsin 1530 and after thegunpowder magazineexplosion of 1546. Mechelen compensated for this by increasing prominence in the religious arena: in 1559 it was proclaimed theArchdiocese of Mechelen,seat of religious authority over the territory that would eventually become Belgium. In 1961, "Brussels" was added to the title, resulting in the currentArchdiocese of Mechelen–Brussels.

Mechelen also retained further relevance as theGreat Council of Mechelenremained the supreme court of the territory until theFrench Revolutionary Wars.In 1572, during theEighty Years' War,the city was burned and sacked by the Spanish during theSpanish Fury at Mechelen.After this pillaging, the city was rebuilt. It was sacked again in 1580 during theEnglish Fury at Mechelen.It was during this time that the tradition of furniture making, still seen today, began.

In 1718, a major rebellion took place in the city, angry mobs entered the Town Hall. During this time LordPierre de Romréewas mayor of Mechelen. The chaos ended when the Emperor formally requested the President of theGreat Councilto restore peace. On 18 June,Christophe-Ernest de Bailletreceived a full list of the people who led the troubles. The President received the support of multiple regiments that had been sent by imperial command. After negotiations de Baillet restored peace and order in the city.[6]

Mechelen on theFerraris map(around 1775)

In 1781,Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor,ordered the destruction of the city's fortified walls – their former location however continues to be referred to in the Latin termsintra muros(within the walls) andextra muros(outside), and meanwhile the site became that of the inner ring road.[7]

19th century and beyond

[edit]

The city entered the industrial age in the 19th century. In 1835, the first railway on the European continent linkedBrusselswith Mechelen, which became the hub of the Belgian railway network.[8]This led to a development of metalworking industries, among others the central railway workshops which are still located in the town today. During theSecond World War,the extensive Mechlinian[n 1]railway structure had caused theNazioccupation forces to choose Mechelen for theirinfamous transit camp.Over 25,000JewsandRomawere sent by rail toAuschwitz-Birkenauextermination camp from Mechelen. The site of the transit camp and a purpose-built complex across the public square, now house theKazerne Dossin Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre on Holocaust and Human Rights.

Several famous meetings on the Christian religion are connected to the name of the city. One in 1909 is thought to have inaugurated theLiturgical Movement.Between 1921 and 1925, a series of unofficial conferences, known as theMalines Conversations,[n 1]presided over byCardinal Mercierand attended by Anglican divines and laymen, includingLord Halifax,was the most significant of early attempts at the reconciliation between theAnglicanand Roman Catholic Churches.

Folklore

[edit]

Most cities in Flanders have a mock name for their inhabitants. Since 1687, for their heroic attempt to fight thefirehigh up in the Saint-Rumbold's Tower, where the gothic windows had shown the flaring of only the moon between clouds, Mechlinians have been calledManeblussers(moon extinguishers).[9]

Once every 25 years, aparade,theOmmegang,commemorates both the arrival of Holy Roman EmperorMaximilian I,father ofArchduchess Margaret of Austria,and also other major events of the city's past. TheOmmeganghad an extra edition in 2000 for the 500th anniversary of the birth ofCharles V.This cortege shows the city's six 15th–17th-centuryprocessional giantsand other serious and humoresque puppets and carts, all typically made on a huge scale, and has beenUNESCOMasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanitysince 2005.

The city's 17th-century wooden mascot, which since 1775 has been calledOpsinjoorke'the doll', is pulled about on a sheet as part of the Ommegang. Nowadays, it is the replica that is so pulled around the city. A recent bronze statue depicting theOpsinjoorkestands in front of the Belfry.

The annual parade of carts decorated with flowers (comparable to that ofBlankenbergefor Mechlinian florists still prepare up to half of decorations), and with vegetables—all of which are local to the area—has been indefinitely canceled since the beginning of the 21st century due to lack of financing by the city.[10]

In spring, a legendary holy statue of Our Lady is the main feature in the Procession of Hanswijk.

Mechelen used to have its own newspaper calledde Krijgstrompet,which was the official newspaper of the army.

Dialect

[edit]

Informally, many Mechlinians (DutchMechelaars,locally pronouncedMecheleirs) speak Mechlinian (Mechels), a Dutch dialect which is distinct from otherBrabanticdialects.

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 there is no standard spelling.[11]

Specialties

[edit]
The brewery Het Anker, home of the Gouden Carolus beer

Historically famous Mechlinian trades includelaken(woollen cloth),tapestries,cordwain,Mechlin lace(preciousbobbin lace,already from the early 18th century),wood carvingandsculpturing,and furniture.

Mechelen was at the heart of the revival of thecarillonin the early 20th century, and hosts its principal school in the world to this day.[12][13]

The area around Mechelen is famous for the cultivation of vegetables, among which areBelgian endive(witloof),asparagus,andcauliflower.Founded in the city, theMechelse Veilingenin neighbouringSint-Katelijne-Waveris the largestco-operativevegetableauctionin Europe.[14]

One of the four breeds of the Belgian Sheepdog is the localMalinois.TheMechelse koekoekis a local poultry breed, fleshy chickens with black and white feathers which extend on the birds' legs, with colours reminiscent of acuckoo,hence the name.

Mechelsen Bruynen was allegedly the emperorCharles V's favourite beer. A version is still brewed in the city at Het Anker brewery, one of the oldest breweries in Belgium.[15]

Climate

[edit]

Mechelen has anoceanic climate(KöppenCfb). Mechelen has a narrow temperature range between seasons for its high latitude, despite its inland position. Summers are warm and occasionally hot, whereas winters usually remain above freezing. Similar to Belgium as a whole, the climate is relatively cloudy and receives frequent rainfall, often light.

Climate data for Mechelen (1981–2010 normals, sunshine 1984–2013)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2) 		7.0
(44.6) 		10.8
(51.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		18.5
(65.3) 		21.1
(70.0) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.2
(73.8) 		19.7
(67.5) 		15.3
(59.5) 		10.1
(50.2) 		6.5
(43.7) 		14.7
(58.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3) 		3.7
(38.7) 		6.8
(44.2) 		9.6
(49.3) 		13.7
(56.7) 		16.4
(61.5) 		18.6
(65.5) 		18.2
(64.8) 		15.0
(59.0) 		11.3
(52.3) 		7.0
(44.6) 		4.0
(39.2) 		10.6
(51.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.8
(33.4) 		0.6
(33.1) 		3.0
(37.4) 		4.8
(40.6) 		8.8
(47.8) 		11.6
(52.9) 		13.8
(56.8) 		13.2
(55.8) 		10.5
(50.9) 		7.4
(45.3) 		4.1
(39.4) 		1.6
(34.9) 		6.7
(44.1)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 69.0
(2.72) 		57.5
(2.26) 		64.8
(2.55) 		46.5
(1.83) 		62.0
(2.44) 		72.7
(2.86) 		75.5
(2.97) 		71.8
(2.83) 		70.9
(2.79) 		71.9
(2.83) 		74.4
(2.93) 		75.3
(2.96) 		812.4
(31.98)
Average precipitation days 12.4 10.7 12.2 9.4 10.8 10.4 10.0 9.7 10.3 11.2 12.4 12.6 132.0
Mean monthlysunshine hours 58 77 122 174 207 202 212 201 145 118 64 48 1,627
Source:Royal Meteorological Institute[16]

Sports

[edit]

Home of two old Belgianfootballclubs, founded in 1904:K.R.C. MechelenandK.V. Mechelen.The latter contributed to the international glamour of the city by winning theUEFA Cup Winners' Cupand theEuropean Super Cupin 1988. The number of lesser local teams shows this sport's popularity: Rapid Leest, Sporting Mechelen, Leest Utd., VV Leest, Walem, SK.Heffen, Zennester Hombeek, FC Muizen. In1985,the city hosted theCanoe Sprint World Championships.

Home of therugby unionclubMechelen RFC.Also theUltimateclub Freespect is located in Mechelen.

Main sights

[edit]
St. Rumbold's Cathedralon theGrote Markt
Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk
't Groen Waterke

There are several important cathedrals and churches in Mechelen. Most famous is Sint-Romboutskathedraal (St. Rumbold's Cathedral) with its dominating tower, which was consecrated in 1312 and is inscribed on theUNESCOWorld Heritage List as part of theBelfries of Belgium and Francesite.[17]The domed,baroqueBasiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Hanswijk,a famous place of pilgrimage in Belgium, was designed by native architectLucas Faydherbe,some of whose sculptures can also be found in the cathedral, and was completed in 1876. The Kerk van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-over-de-Dijle (Church of Our Lady across the river Dijle) and the Sint-Janskerk exhibit work fromRubens,including 'The Adoration of the Magi' and 'The Miraculous Draught of Fishes' respectively. Other important churches in Mechelen include 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); and the present JesuitChurch of Our Lady of Leliendaal.

Other religious buildings in Mechelen include the Palace of theArchbishopof theArchbishopric of Mechelen-Brussels,still in use for its original purpose by the currentArchbishop De Kesel.These palaces may not be open to the public in general but do offer a good external view. The Klein Begijnhof and the Groot Begijnhof (Small and LargeBeguinages), which house lay religious women, form part of theFlemish BéguinagesWorld Heritage Site.[18]The grounds of theTheravada Buddhistplace of worshipWat Dhammapateep(Temple of the Flame of Truth or Reality as taught by the Enlightened One) has since 2005 housed a green granite Buddha, sculptured in China, seated on a dark green granitesocle– the tallest granite Buddha in Europe.

The Refuge of Grimbergen, the Refuge of Villers, the Refuge of Rozendaal, the Refuge of Sint-Truiden and the Refuge of Tongerlo, are retreat mansions for distant abbeys, the latter now housing the Manufacturer De Wit which restores the finesttapestries,for which Flanders was famous in the 16th century.

The Lakenhal (acloth hall) and the 14th-centuryBelfrybeside it are now incorporated with the modern City Hall complex on the main square. The hall and belfry are part of theBelfries of Belgium and FranceWorld Heritage Site for their civic importance and architecture.[17]

TheBrusselpoort,the last remaining of the city's twelve gates was built in the 13th century. Along with the Schepenhuis, the oldest stone-built city hall in Flanders and the historical seat of the 'Grote Raad' (Great Council or Supreme Court), and thegothic-renaissanceHof van Busleyden whereHieronymus van BusleydenreceivedErasmus,Thomas More,and the laterPope Adrian VI,now house the City Museum. TheVismarkt(former fish market) is a 16th-century square located near the heart of the city along the river Dijle.

Many famous people resided in Mechelen in the 16th-19th centuries, and their houses still remain today. TheHof van Savoyewas built forMargaret of Austriawhile she was regent of the Netherlands and in it she raised the laterCharles Quint.It is one of the first Renaissance buildings north of the Alps and was converted to the meeting place of for courts of justice in 1609. In addition, Mechelen contains the "Hof van Nassau", a 15th-century building which served as temporary court ofMargaret of Yorkwhen she arrived in Mechelen after her marriage withCharles the Bold,as well as the palace she resided in after Charles's death.

Other notable houses from the time period include:

  • The "Hof van Hoogstraten", 16th-century palace ofAntoon I van Lalaing
  • The "Hof van Cortenbach", 16th-century building
  • The "Hof van Coloma", 18th-century palace of Jean Ernest Coloma, Baron of St-Pieters Leeuw and member of theColoma family

Mechelen also contains many museums, parks, and zoos:

Mechelen also contains theRoyal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"where carillonneurs come from around the world to study thecarillonand to play the instrument.

Other sites in Mechelen include:

  • 't Groen Waterke, a picturesque small remnant of bygonecanals– in particular of the Melaan, of which a longer stretch was after more than a century uncovered in 2007.
  • A stone pillarDe 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.[20]

There are over 300 protected monuments in Mechelen.[21]

Politics and government

[edit]

The city council consists of 43 councillors, elected every six years. The mayor isBart Somers(Open Vld) since 2001. In October 2019Alexander Vandersmissenbecame acting mayor becauseBart Somersbecame minister in the Flemish government, he retains the title of mayor. The Vld-Groen-M+kartelgot an absolute majority of seats in theOctober 2018 election.

The 2019-2024 city council, elected in October 2018, consists of:

Police

[edit]

The city of Mechelen usesANPRcameras since September 2011 to check all inbound and outbound cars against a database of stolen, non-insured and cars listed for other reasons. In case of a positive match, an alarm is generated in the dispatching room, enabling the police to quickly intercept the car. Mechelen was one of the first cities in Belgium to use ANPR on this scale. As of early 2012, 1 million cars per week are checked in this way. Mechelen started this project with SAIT Zenitel.[22]

Mechelen andWillebroekformed a unified local police zone on 1 January 2015; it was extended withPuurs-Sint-AmandsandBornemon 1 January 2023, the zone now being calledRivierenland Police Zone[nl].

Demographics

[edit]

Mechelen is a diverse city with over 100 nationalities, and has a significant Muslim population. The city is estimated to be around 20% Muslim as of 2016, with much of the community ofMoroccanorigin.[23]

Group of origin Year
2023[24]
Number %
Belgians with Belgian background 55,473 62.6%
Belgians with foreign background 22,216 25.07%
Neighboring country 2,025 2.29%
EU27 (excluding neighboring country) 1,340 1.51%
Outside EU 27 18,851 21.27%
Non-Belgians 10,925 12.33%
Neighboring country 1,406 1.59%
EU27 (excluding neighboring country) 2,165 2.44%
Outside EU 27 7,354 8.3%
Total 88,614 100%

People

[edit]
See also:List of people from Mechelen

Sister cities

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^abcMechelen has been known in English asMechlin,from where the adjectiveMechlinianis derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical context. The city's French name,Malines,had also been used in English in the past (in the 19th and 20th centuries); however, this has largely been abandoned. Meanwhile, the Dutch-derivedMechelenbegan to be used in English increasingly from the late 20th century onwards, even whileMechlinremained still in use (for example, aMechlinianis 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 adjectiveMechlinianmay refer to the city or to its dialect.
  2. ^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 inMargaret's palace, as the laterCharles Quint,if she would have been nearly his age; or just across the street inMargaret of York's palace if significantly younger. Margaret of Austria affectionately referred to Anne as "la Petite Boleyn" during a formative stage in her upbringing at the court.

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2020".Statbel.
  2. ^Annual review 2007 Flemish Foreign Affairs - see 13. The art cities action plan(PDF),Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs - Departement Internationaal Vlaanderen, May 2008, p. 22,retrieved31 October2012[permanent dead link]
  3. ^Tourism in Flanders(PDF),Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, 10 April 2008,retrieved19 October2009,In terms ofinternational tourism,the emphasis lies on six magnificent historic and geographically concentrated cities of art: Brussels, Antwerpen, Brugge, Gent, Leuven and Mechelen[dead link]
  4. ^Ontwerp van decreet houdende het Vlaams cultureel-erfgoedbeleid - stuk 1588 (2011-2012) – Nr. 1 ingediend op 2 mei 2012 (2011–2012)(PDF)(in Dutch), Flemish Parliament, 2012, pp. 4–5,retrieved31 October2012,The five so-called art cities having a high density of cultural heritage across all types of work (Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Leuven and Mechelen)... these cities have a long tradition in developing and substantiating a local cultural heritage.(quote translated)
  5. ^"Virtueel museum: De metaaltijden"(in Dutch). archeoweb Mechelen. Archived fromthe originalon 30 April 2007.Retrieved27 January2007.
  6. ^Noord en Zuid: Maendschrift voor Kunsten, letteren en wetenschappen, Volume 2
  7. ^ "Map created c.1781 to depict which strategical defence structures had to be broken down"(in Dutch). beeldbankmechelen.be. Archived fromthe originalon 18 August 2007.Retrieved2 February2007.
  8. ^"2. Belgium on track (19th century) - Train World".
  9. ^"Moon Extinguishers".Visit Mechelen.Retrieved18 December2023.
  10. ^(in Dutch),,Bloemencorso moet terugkomen "Afgevoerde Mechelse bloementraditie leeft voort in Blankenbergejournal Het Nieuwsblad, 26 August 2005
  11. ^De Mecheleirvzw Mechelen 2000+, subscribers' quarterly published by J. Somers, Mechelen
  12. ^"Royal Carillon School 'Jef Denyn' Mechelen – International High Institute for Carillon Art and Campanology".vzw Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn, Mechelen. Archived fromthe originalon 6 July 2011.Retrieved9 July2011.
  13. ^"10 Juni 2005 – Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering houdende de organisatie en de financiering van de Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn in Mechelen"(in Dutch). Belgisch Staatsblad (republished online by vzw Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn, Mechelen). 16 August 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved9 July2011.
  14. ^Mechelse Veilingen websiteArchived6 January 2007 at theWayback Machine– navigate 'The Company' or read here"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2007.Retrieved2007-01-27.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^"Battle Tours Flanders".The Telegraph.16 May 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved27 March2018.
  16. ^"Klimaatstatistieken van de Belgische gemeenten"(PDF)(in Dutch).Royal Meteorological Institute.Retrieved29 May2018.
  17. ^ab"Belfries of Belgium and France".UNESCO World Heritage Centre.United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.Retrieved5 November2021.
  18. ^"Flemish Béguinages".UNESCO World Heritage Centre.United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.Retrieved6 November2021.
  19. ^"Kazerne Dossin | Home".
  20. ^(in Dutch)Railway industrial archeology museumDe Mijlpaal[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "Mechelen – a unique experience"(PDF).on visitflanders.co.uk – K. Vancraeynest D/2005/0797/061 supported by City of Mechelen, Province of Antwerp, Tourism Flanders. 10 June 2005.Retrieved27 January2007.
  22. ^"ANPR in Mechelen".Belgium.
  23. ^"How one town helps residents balance being Belgian and Muslim".Christian Science Monitor.ISSN0882-7729.Retrieved3 July2023.
  24. ^"Origin | Statbel".statbel.fgov.be.Retrieved4 July2023.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toMechelen.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forMechelen.
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