Discover UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen

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Grote Markt Sint Rombouts Cathedral

UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen Belgium


The UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen Belgium put a spanner in the works of our travel plans. We had planned to be in Mechelen to deal with the cuisine of Flanders. But it turns out differently than so often on our travels. When we were there, a topic came to mind that we could not ignore. We were so impressed by the Renaissance and Gothic architecture in the old town that we overturned our plans. Instead of the culinary delights of Mechelen, we devoted ourselves to the city's beguinages. With the Sint Rombouts Cathedral, these are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mechelen. The cuisine was neglected. But it should be worth it. Here we present the buildings that we discovered on our tour:

 

 

Big Beguinage UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen
Alleys in the Great Beguinage UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen Belgium

UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen Belgium: the large and small beguinages

Beguinages were everywhere in Flanders during the Renaissance. These were communities of convenience of women. They supported each other and found protection in the community. Most were widows who joined these communities after their husbands died. The beguinages were organized like a monastery. However, the Beguines did not take any vows. So the women could leave the community again as soon as other options were available. The Mechelen beguinages are close together. They belong to the UNESCO world heritage of the beguinages and provide an insight into life at that time. Today families live here in an environment that exudes calm. These pictures give an impression of what the beguinages look like.

 

Big beguinage
One house follows the next in the Great Beguinage in Mechelen Belgium
Beguinage Church UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen
Behind the Beguinage Church
Architectural detail UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen
Detail of the architecture

The Sint Rombouts Cathedral in Mechelen Belgium

Mechelen Cathedral is dedicated to Romuald. It dates from the 13th - 15th centuries. It can be seen with its tower from the old town. No wonder with a tower height of 98 meters. You can climb the tower via more than 500 steps. This one is unfinished. The climb is worthwhile for the view of Mechelen. The interior of the cathedral is also worth seeing. The cathedral impresses with its stained glass windows, the choir stalls and the paintings, including the altarpiece by van Dyck.

 

Sint Rombouts Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen
The Sint Rombouts Cathedral in Mechelen Belgium
Kathedrale
The cathedral fits into the cityscape
Interior of the cathedral
The interior of the cathedral
Stained-glass windows
Stained-glass windows
choir stalls
Sint Rombouts Cathedral in Mechelen Belgium

 

What you need to visit Mechelen

  • You will do a lot of walking in Mechelen Belgium. Hence are Shoes important, in which you can walk well.
  • If you are planning to go to a restaurant, then you should Pumps .
  • People like to wear clothes in summer. Fit Sandals.
  • Mechelen offers delicacies that are suitable as souvenirs. Chocolate from Belgium or beer are just a few of them. In one backpack you can accommodate them well.
  • Forget yours Camera not, because Mechelen's Renaissance buildings tempt you to take photos.

 

 


A walk through Mechelen Belgium is not only worthwhile because of these buildings. Monastery buildings such as the Refuge of the Abbey of Tongeren, the Archbishops' Palace, the buildings that line the Grote Markt and Schoenmarkt, the Palace of Margaret of Austria or Margaret of York and buildings that make Mechelen a showpiece of architecture are worth seeing . You should only bring time to see them all.

 

Do you like to travel by motorhome?


Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

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Arrival:

Book yours here Arrival by plane, bus or train*. Brussels is the closest airport. It is possible to travel to Mechelen by train.

Car Rentals:

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Hotels in Mechelen:

Book yours here Accommodation in Mechelen * 

 

 

Mechelen Belgium
Click on the photo and make a note of “Mechelen Belgium” on Pinterest

 

Do you already know:


Source Mechelen Belgium: On-site research at the invitation of Tourism Flanders

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline

Discover UNESCO World Heritage in Mechelen

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.