Mechelen

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''For the Dutch village, see Mechelen (Netherlands).

Mechelen (French, Malines; German, Mecheln; English traditional name, Mechlin) is a city and municipality located in Antwerp Province, Flanders, Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper with some quarters at its outskirts; its hamlets of adjacent Nekkerspoel and at a few kilometres Battel; as well as the villages of Walem, Heffen, Hombeek, Leest, and Muizen. On 1 January 2006 Mechelen had a total population of 78,268. The total area is 65.19 km², giving a population density of 1,201 inhabitants per km².

History

Archaeological proof of habition during the 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.

The area of Mechelen was settled on the banks of the river during the Gallo-Roman period as evidenced by several Roman ruins and roads. Upon Rome's declining influence, during the 3rd-4th century the area became inhabited by Germanic tribes, a few centuries later 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, 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 Dukes of Burgundy, marking the beginning of a prosperous period. In 1473 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 an Archdiocese, 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 Spanish. After this pillaging, the city was rebuilt. It was during this time that the tradition of furniture making, still seen today, began.

The city entered the industrial age in the 19th century, becoming the hub of the Belgian railway network, with the first train linking Brussels with Mechelen in 1835. This led to a development of metalworking industries, among others the central railway workshops which are still located in the town today.

Local Fame

Folklore

Most cities in Flanders have a mock name for their inhabitants. 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... since 1687, Mechlinians are called Maneblussers (Moon Extinguishers).

Once in 25 years, the Cavalcade reminds of the arrival of 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 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 21th century for lack of financing by the City._{() [,,Bloemencorso moet terugkomen" Afgevoerde Mechelse bloementraditie leeft voort in Blankenberge] journal Het Nieuwsblad, August 26 2005}

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

Specialties

Historically famous Mechlinian trades: laken (woollen cloth), tapestries, Mechlin lace (precious bobbin lace, already from the early 18th century), wood carving and sculpturing, furniture.

The area around Mechelen is famous for the culture of vegetables, among which Belgian endive, asparagus and cauliflower. The Mechelse koekoek is a local poultry breed, fleshy chickens with black and white feathers which extend on the bird's legs, with colours reminiscent of a cuckoo, hence the name.

Sports

Home of two of the oldest Belgian 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

• The Sint-Romboutskathedraal (St. Rumbolds Cathedral) with its dominating tower (UNESCO World Heritage ID 943-016) ; 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 Dyle) 'The Miraculous Draught of Fishes', paintings by Rubens ; the domed baroque Basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Hanswijk (Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswyck) by native architect Lucas Fayd'herbe, 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-renaissance Hof van Busleyden where 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 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 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 Roman Catholic province Belgium, still in use for its original purpose by 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 Belfry (UNESCO World Heritage ID 943-015) beside it, form now the City Hall at the Grand Market square.
• The Klein Begijnhof and the Groot Begijnhof (UNESCO World Heritage ID 855-003) (Large and Small Béguinages)
• The Jewish Museum of Deportation and the Resistance (see under External links)
• Technopolis, center for hands-on Science and Technology (see under External links)
• 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 herbalist 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 canals

*The Clock Museum

*The Theravada Buddhist place of worship Wat Dhammaprateep (Temple of the Flame of Truth or Reality as taught by the Enlighted 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.

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' Trade, 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

• Anne Boleyn, future wife of English King Henry VIII - Margarete of Austria affectionately referred to Anne as "la Petite Boleyn" during a formative stage in her upbringing at the court._{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's palace, as the later Charles Quint, if she would have been nearly his age; or just across the street in Margaret of York's palace if significantly younger.}
• Michiel van Coxcie (Michael Coxcie), Renaissance painter, designer of engravings and of tapestries
• Michiel van Coxcie the Younger and Raphael van Coxcie (sons of the above), painters
• Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, choreographer
• Philippe de Monte, Renaissance composer
• Jef Denyn, musician, founder of the Royal Carillon School
• Rembert Dodoens, Renaissance botanist, herbalist and physician
• Faydherbe (Fayd'herbe) family: Hendrik, sculpturer, gilder, painter and poet ; Antoon, sculpturer ; Maria, sculpturer ; Lucas, sculpturer and architect ; Rombout, painter ; Jan-Lucas, sculpturer
• Keldermans family, architects
• Margarete of Austria, regent of the Netherlands, daughter of Maximilian I, guardian of Charles V
• Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy - Several children who later became Queens of European countries, had received an education at her court.
• Bernard van Orley ^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}, Renaissance painter and designer of tapestries
• Flor Peeters, composer, organist
• Theodoor Verhaegen, wood sculpturer
• Governmental politicians:

*former foreign politician: François René Mallarmé, president of the National Convention of France

*former national ministers: Antoon Spinoy, vice prime minister, minister of defence, minister of economical affairs ; Jef Ramaekers, minister of education ; Jos De Saeger, minister of public works

*former minister-presidents of Flanders: Luc Van den Brande, Bart Somers

• Inhabitants of whom the merits can hardly be associated with Mechelen:

*Diego de Astor (Mechelen 1587 – Madrid ca 1650), Spanish engraver and medalist

*John Clement, English humanist, had been tutor of Thomas More's children _{[Catholic Encyclopedia – John Clement]() [De Britse eilanden in Zuidnederlandse kranten. De Mechelse ‘Courier de l’Escaut’ en het Britse culturele leven, 1790 - 1796. (Dave De Ryck)] This source also mentions John Rastell, lawyer; and John Clement as Thomas More's son-in-law – confounding their relationships with More: see ref above & Wikipedia's John Rastell as son-in-law of More + "The Jesuit, John Rastell (1532-1577), who has been frequently confounded with him, was no relation". For Rastell:^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}}

*John Heywood, English poet

Outside the general scope of this chapter: sportsmen, television presenters, journalists, actors, singers, etc of whom the historical significance might not exceed the lifespan of their mainly regional public ; bishops, archbishops & cardinals ; people who lived in Mechelen only for a theological education in seminary or a military training in a former garrison.

External links

• [Resizable official plan of the municipality and of the city (pdf)]
• () [Official website] - links to versions in () () () that are partially constructed (May 2006)

• [Studies in Western Tapestry - The passion tapestries of Margaret of Austria (Guy Delmarcel)]
• [Mechlin Lace]
• [Jewish Museum of Deportation and the Resistance]
• [Technopolis]
• [Toy Museum]
• () () [Planckendael zoo]
• () [Vrijbroek]
• () [Restauratie Integratie Mechelen] a local heritage conservation organisation (() summary page)
• [Historic Walking Tour of Mechelen]
• [Historic Walking Tour of Mechelen's Beguinages]

Books

• ISBN 90-583-7089-5, Michelin's "De Grote Gids België"

References

Antwerp'''
Antwerp: | Aartselaar | Antwerp | Boechout | Boom | Borsbeek | Brasschaat | Brecht | Edegem | Essen | Hemiksem | Hove | Kalmthout | Kapellen | Kontich | Lint | Malle | Mortsel | Niel | Ranst | Rumst | Schelle | Schilde | Schoten | Stabroek | Wijnegem | Wommelgem | Wuustwezel | Zandhoven | Zoersel | Zwijndrecht |
Mechelen: | Berlaar | Bonheiden | Bornem | Duffel | Heist-op-den-Berg | Lier | Mechelen | Nijlen | Putte | Puurs | Sint-Amands | Sint-Katelijne-Waver | Willebroek
Turnhout: | Arendonk | Baarle-Hertog | Balen | Beerse | Dessel | Geel | Grobbendonk | Herentals | Herenthout | Herselt | Hoogstraten | Hulshout | Kasterlee | Laakdal | Lille | Meerhout | Merksplas | Mol | Olen | Oud-Turnhout | Ravels | Retie | Rijkevorsel | Turnhout | Vorselaar | Vosselaar | Westerlo |

Coordinates: [51°02′N 4°28′E]

 

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