This Belgian town has recently become very popular among Russian tourists. Since ancient times Mechelen has been famous for bell art. Many bells manufactured by local artists are installed in largest churches of Moscow and St. Petersburg. There is also an old school of bell ringers named Het Shipka in Mechelen.
When it comes to historical and architectural monuments of the town, we can definitely mention St. Rumbolt Cathedral. Some of the towers of the cathedral have a height of 97 meters. In order to climb to the top of the tower, one needs to go through 514 steps. The observation area on the top of the tower features perfectly visible neighborhoods of Mechelen. When the weather is clear you can see the shape of Antwerp on the horizon. The altar of the cathedral is made of marble. The master worked over its creation in 1665. If you walk behind the altar, you will see beautiful frescoes, triptychs and sculptures that were created in the 14th - 16th centuries. The most precious decoration of this holy place is the painting of Van Dyck titled “The Crucifixion of Christ”.
Mechelen cannot offer an abundance of large shopping centers, but there are many small interesting shops here. On the main city square, you will find a large Het Mechels gift shop where they … Open
In the 16th century, the city almost completely lost its unique appearance. It was destroyed during the hostilities in the course of the struggle for independence. As early as the 17th century, residents managed to restore their homes and many historical monuments, as well as factories in which high-quality fabrics and laces are still produced. These historical factories are among the important historical sites. They conduct fascinating excursions for tourists.
Mehelen is not distinguished by an abundance of entertainment centers and children’s attractions. In any case, family recreation here will definitely not be boring. One of the primary … Open
There are several unique monuments of world importance in the city. The Great Beguinage at Mechelen was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a large-scale architectural complex. Its construction began in the 13th century. Now the central part of the complex is occupied by the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. It is surrounded by ancient residential buildings. Today, a significant part of the old houses is privately owned, but some mansions can be visited by tourists.
In Mechelen, you can try a lot of interesting and original dishes, each of which has a unique history. A traditional local specialty is Mechelen Cuckoo. This is a common name for a variety … Open