Editing Mechelen

{{Short description|City in Antwerp Province, Belgium}}
{{distinguish|Machelen|Michelin}}
{{Redirect|Mechlin|other uses|Mechlin (disambiguation)|and|Mechelen (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox Belgium municipality
|name             = Mechelen
|namefr           = Malines
|picture          = {{Photomontage 
|border=0 
|size=275 
|spacing=2 
|color=none 
|photo1a          = Mechelen van hoog.jpg
|photo2a          = Mechelen Grote Markt 9-06-2012 14-39-43.jpg
|photo3a          = Mechelen, de Brusselpoort RM3411 foto8 2011-09-23 12.52.jpg
|photo3b          = Mechelen Palais 2.jpg
|photo4a          = Mechelen IJzerenleen 1.jpg
}}
|picture-legend   = Left to right, top to bottom: View of the city with [[St. Rumbold's Cathedral]] on the far left, ''Grote Markt'' with Mechelen City Hall, [[Brusselpoort]], [[Hof van Savoye]], ''IJzerenleen'' in the city center with the [[Schepenhuis, Mechelen|Schepenhuis]]
|map              = Mechelen Antwerp Belgium Map.svg
|map-legend       = Mechelen municipality and ''[[Arrondissements of Belgium|arrondissement]]'' in the [[Flemish Region|Flemish]] province of [[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp]]
|arms             = Wapen Mechelen.svg
|flag             = Flag of Mechlin.svg
|region           = {{BE-REG-FLE}}
|community        = {{BE-NL}}
|province         = {{BE-VAN}}
|arrondissement   = Mechelen
|nis              = 12025
|pyramid-date     = 1 January 2006
|0–19  = 23.60
|20–64 = 58.51
|65    = 17.89
|foreigners       = 7.07
|foreigners-date  = 01/07/2005{{Ambiguous|date=August 2016}}
|mayor            = [[Bart Somers]] ([[Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats|Open Vld]])
|majority         = [[Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats|Open Vld]]-[[Groen (political party)|Groen]]-M+
|postal-codes     = 2800, 2801, 2811, 2812
|telephone-area   = 015–03
|web              = {{Official URL}}
|coordinates      = {{coord|51|01|40|N|4|28|50|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Mechelen''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈmɛxələ(n)|-|Nl-Mechelen.ogg}}; {{langx|fr|Malines}} {{IPA|fr|malin||LL-Q150 (fra)-Madehub-Malines.wav}}; historically known as ''Mechlin'' in English<ref group="n" name="cityname">Mechelen has been known in English as ''Mechlin'', from where the adjective ''Mechlinian'' is derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical context. The city's French name, ''{{lang|fr|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-derived ''{{lang|nl|Mechelen}}'' began to be used in English increasingly from the late 20th century onwards, even while ''Mechlin'' remained still in use (for example, 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>) is a city and [[municipalities of Belgium|municipality]] in the [[Provinces of Belgium|province]] of [[Antwerp Province|Antwerp]] in the [[Flemish Region]] of [[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 river [[Dyle (river)|Dyle]] (Dijle) flows through the city, hence it is often referred to as the ''Dijlestad'' ("City on the Dyle").

Mechelen lies on the [[Flemish Diamond|major urban and industrial axis]] [[Brussels]]–[[Antwerp]], about {{cvt|25|km}} 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 and [[Brussels Airport]], or at industrial plants near [[Port of Antwerp|Antwerp's seaport]].

Mechelen is one of Flanders' prominent cities of historical art, with [[Antwerp]], [[Bruges]], [[Brussels]], [[Ghent]], and [[Leuven]]. It was notably a centre for artistic production during the [[Northern Renaissance]], when painters, printmakers, illuminators and composers of [[polyphony]] were attracted by patrons such as [[Margaret of York]], [[Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy|Margaret of Austria]] and [[Hieronymus van Busleyden]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://ebl.vlaanderen.be/publications/documents/23947/Annual_Review_Flemish_Foreign_Affairs_2007.pdf |title=Annual review 2007 Flemish Foreign Affairs - see 13. The art cities action plan |page=22 |date=May 2008 |publisher=Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs - Departement Internationaal Vlaanderen |access-date=2012-10-31 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://iv.vlaanderen.be/nlapps/data/docattachments/Tourism%20in%20Flanders.pdf |title=Tourism in Flanders |date=10 April 2008 |publisher=Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs |quote=In terms of [[international tourism]], the emphasis lies on six magnificent historic and geographically concentrated cities of art: Brussels, Antwerpen, Brugge, Gent, Leuven and Mechelen |access-date=2009-10-19 }}{{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://docs.vlaamsparlement.be/docs/stukken/2011-2012/g1588-1.pdf |title=Ontwerp van decreet houdende het Vlaams cultureel-erfgoedbeleid - stuk 1588 (2011-2012) – Nr. 1 ingediend op 2 mei 2012 (2011–2012) |pages=4–5 |year=2012 |publisher=Flemish Parliament |language=nl |quote=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. |access-date=2012-10-31 }} (quote translated)</ref>

==History==

===Origins===
Archaeological proof of habitation during the [[La Tene culture|La Tène era]] in the triangle [[Brussels]]–[[Leuven]]–[[Antwerp]], mainly concentrated around Mechelen, which originated in wetlands, includes an {{convert|8.4|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} canoe cut from an oak tree trunk and a settlement of about five wooden houses, at [[Nekkerspoel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Virtueel museum: De metaaltijden|publisher=archeoweb Mechelen|url=http://archeoweb.mechelen.be/NL/virtueel/tijdslijn-detail.asp?id=2|access-date=27 January 2007|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430185513/http://archeoweb.mechelen.be/NL/virtueel/tijdslijn-detail.asp?id=2|archive-date=30 April 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

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 3rd–4th centuries, the area became inhabited by [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribe]]s. A few centuries later, it was [[Christianization|christianized]], assumedly by the Irish or Scottish missionary [[Rumbold of Mechelen|St Rumbold]] ({{langx|nl|Rombout|link=no}}), who was also said to have built a monastery. Work on the cathedral that is dedicated to the saint started around 1200.

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 rivalry between these cities that would last well into the 20th century.

===15th–18th centuries===
[[File:Nicolaas van Eyck - The taking of Mechelen by the Geuzen under the command of Olivier van Tympele and John Norrits on 9 April 1580.jpg|thumb|270px|''Taking of Mechelen by the [[Geuzen]] under the command of Olivier van Tympele and John Norreys on 9 April 1580'' by [[Nicolaas van Eyck]]]]
In the 15th century, the city came under the rule 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 bodies to the city, and Mechelen served as the seat of the [[Superior Court]] until the [[French Revolution]]. In 1490, a regular postal service between Mechelen and [[Innsbruck]] was established.

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 [[Archduchess Margaret of Austria]].

During the 16th century, the city's political influence decreased dramatically, due to many governmental institutions being moved to [[Brussels]] in 1530 and after the [[gunpowder magazine]] explosion of 1546. Mechelen compensated for this by increasing prominence in the religious arena: in 1559 it was proclaimed the [[Archdiocese 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 current [[Archdiocese of Mechelen–Brussels]].

Mechelen also retained further relevance as the [[Great Council of Mechelen]] remained the supreme court of the territory until the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. In 1572, during the [[Eighty Years' War]], the city was burned and sacked by the Spanish during the [[Spanish Fury at Mechelen]]. After this pillaging, the city was rebuilt. It was sacked again in 1580 during the [[English 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 Lord [[Pierre de Romrée]] was mayor of Mechelen. The chaos ended when the Emperor formally requested the President of the [[Great Council of Mechelen|Great Council]] to restore peace. On 18 June, [[Christophe-Ernest, 1st Count of Baillet|Christophe-Ernest de Baillet]] received 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.<ref>Noord en Zuid: Maendschrift voor Kunsten, letteren en wetenschappen, Volume 2</ref>
[[File:Mechelen, Belgium ; Ferraris Map.jpg|thumb|Mechelen on the [[Ferraris 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 terms ''intra muros'' (within the walls) and ''extra muros'' (outside), and meanwhile the site became that of the inner ring road.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Map created c.1781 to depict which strategical 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 
 |access-date=2 February 2007 
 |language=nl 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818175029/http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&topid=8&collection_id=1&data_id=2620&photo_id=10663 
 |archive-date=18 August 2007 
 |df=dmy 
}}</ref>

===19th century and beyond===
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trainworld.be/en/collections/history-of-the-belgian-railways/2-belgium-on-track-19th-century|title = 2. Belgium on track (19th century) - Train World}}</ref> This led to a development of metalworking industries, among others the central railway workshops which are still located in the town today. During the [[Second World War]], the extensive Mechlinian<ref group ="n" name="cityname"/> railway structure had caused the [[Nazi]] occupation forces to choose Mechelen for their [[Mechelen transit camp|infamous transit camp]]. Over 25,000 [[Jews]] and [[Romani people|Roma]] were sent by rail to [[Auschwitz-Birkenau]] extermination camp from Mechelen. The site of the transit camp and a purpose-built complex across the public square, now house the [[Kazerne 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 the [[Liturgical Movement]]. Between 1921 and 1925, a series of unofficial conferences, known as the [[Malines Conversations]],<ref group ="n" name="cityname"/> presided over by [[Cardinal Mercier]] and attended by Anglican divines and laymen, including [[Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax|Lord Halifax]], was the most significant of early attempts at the reconciliation between the [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]] and Roman Catholic Churches.

==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-Rumbold's Tower, where the gothic windows had shown the flaring of only the moon between clouds, Mechlinians have been called ''Maneblussers'' (moon extinguishers).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moon Extinguishers |url=https://visit.mechelen.be/moon-extinguishers |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Visit Mechelen |language=en}}</ref>

Once every 25 years, a [[parade]], the [[Ommegang]], commemorates both the arrival of Holy Roman Emperor [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]], father of [[Archduchess Margaret of Austria]], and also other major events of the city's past. The ''Ommegang'' had an extra edition in 2000 for the 500th anniversary of the birth of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]. This cortege shows the city's six 15th–17th-century [[processional giant]]s and other serious and humoresque puppets and carts, all typically made on a huge scale, and has been [[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 mascot, which since 1775 has been called ''Opsinjoorke'' '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 the ''Opsinjoorke'' stands in front of the Belfry.

The annual parade of carts decorated with flowers (comparable to that of [[Blankenberge]] for 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.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.nieuwsblad.be/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleID=G4AHB8FL ,,Bloemencorso moet terugkomen" ''Afgevoerde Mechelse bloementraditie leeft voort in Blankenberge''] journal Het Nieuwsblad, 26 August 2005</ref>
[[File:Hanswijkcavalcade 1386.JPG|thumb|210x210px|A statue of Our Lady of Hanswijk is carried through the city during the procession in 2013]]
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 called ''de Krijgstrompet'', which was the official newspaper of the army.

==Dialect==
Informally, many Mechlinians ([[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''Mechelaars'', locally pronounced ''Mecheleirs'') speak Mechlinian (''Mechels''), a Dutch dialect which is distinct from other [[Brabantic]] dialects.

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.<ref>''De Mecheleir'' vzw Mechelen 2000+, subscribers' quarterly published by J. Somers, Mechelen</ref>

==Specialties==
[[File:Het Anker.jpg|right|thumb|The brewery Het Anker, home of the Gouden Carolus beer]]
Historically famous Mechlinian trades include ''laken'' (woollen cloth), [[tapestries]], [[Leather#cordwain|cordwain]], [[Mechlin lace]] (precious [[bobbin lace]], already from the early 18th century), [[wood carving]] and [[sculpture|sculpturing]], and furniture.

Mechelen was at the heart of the revival of the [[carillon]] in the early 20th century, and hosts its principal school in the world to this day.<ref name=beiaardschool1>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.beiaardschool.be/royal%20carillon%20school/en-beiaardschool-kk-01.htm 
 |title=Royal Carillon School 'Jef Denyn' Mechelen – International High Institute for Carillon Art and Campanology 
 |publisher=vzw Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn, Mechelen 
 |access-date=9 July 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706133325/http://www.beiaardschool.be/royal%20carillon%20school/en-beiaardschool-kk-01.htm 
 |archive-date=6 July 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}</ref><ref name=beiaardschool2>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.beiaardschool.be/royal%20carillon%20school/nl-dko-rr-01.htm 
 |title=10 Juni 2005 – Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering houdende de organisatie en de financiering van de Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn in Mechelen 
 |language=nl 
 |publisher=Belgisch Staatsblad (republished online by vzw Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn, Mechelen) 
 |publication-date=16 August 2005 
 |access-date=9 July 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927083417/http://www.beiaardschool.be/royal%20carillon%20school/nl-dko-rr-01.htm 
 |archive-date=27 September 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}</ref>

The area around Mechelen is famous for the cultivation of vegetables, among which are [[Belgian endive]] (''witloof''), [[asparagus]], and [[cauliflower]]. Founded 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] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106035329/http://www.mv.be/EN/index.asp |date=6 January 2007 }} – navigate 'The Company' or read here {{cite web|url=http://www.mv.be/EN/VMV_Nutshell.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006180600/http://www.mv.be/EN/VMV_Nutshell.htm |archive-date=6 October 2007 |df=dmy }}</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 chickens with black and white feathers which extend on the birds' legs, with colours reminiscent of a [[cuckoo]], hence the name.

Mechelsen Bruynen was allegedly the emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]'s favourite beer. A version is still brewed in the city at Het Anker brewery, one of the oldest breweries in Belgium.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/great-war-flanders/10982225/attractions-mechlen.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/great-war-flanders/10982225/attractions-mechlen.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Battle Tours Flanders|website=The Telegraph|date=16 May 2017|access-date=27 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Climate==
Mechelen has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfb''). 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.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Mechelen (1981–2010 normals, sunshine 1984–2013)
|collapsed = 
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 
|Feb record high C = 
|Mar record high C = 
|Apr record high C = 
|May record high C = 
|Jun record high C = 
|Jul record high C = 
|Aug record high C = 
|Sep record high C = 
|Oct record high C = 
|Nov record high C = 
|Dec record high C = 
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 6.2
|Feb high C = 7.0
|Mar high C = 10.8
|Apr high C = 14.5
|May high C = 18.5
|Jun high C = 21.1
|Jul high C = 23.4
|Aug high C = 23.2
|Sep high C = 19.7
|Oct high C = 15.3
|Nov high C = 10.1
|Dec high C = 6.5
|year high C = 14.7
|Jan mean C = 3.5
|Feb mean C = 3.7
|Mar mean C = 6.8
|Apr mean C = 9.6
|May mean C = 13.7
|Jun mean C = 16.4
|Jul mean C = 18.6
|Aug mean C = 18.2
|Sep mean C = 15.0
|Oct mean C = 11.3
|Nov mean C = 7.0
|Dec mean C = 4.0
|year mean C = 10.6
|Jan low C = 0.8
|Feb low C = 0.6
|Mar low C = 3.0
|Apr low C = 4.8
|May low C = 8.8
|Jun low C = 11.6
|Jul low C = 13.8
|Aug low C = 13.2
|Sep low C = 10.5
|Oct low C = 7.4
|Nov low C = 4.1
|Dec low C = 1.6
|year low C = 6.7
|Jan record low C = 
|Feb record low C = 
|Mar record low C = 
|Apr record low C = 
|May record low C = 
|Jun record low C = 
|Jul record low C = 
|Aug record low C = 
|Sep record low C = 
|Oct record low C = 
|Nov record low C = 
|Dec record low C = 
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 69.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 57.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 64.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 46.5
|May precipitation mm = 62.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 72.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 75.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 71.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 70.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 71.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 74.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 75.3
|year precipitation mm = 812.4
|Jan precipitation days = 12.4
|Feb precipitation days = 10.7
|Mar precipitation days = 12.2
|Apr precipitation days = 9.4
|May precipitation days = 10.8
|Jun precipitation days = 10.4
|Jul precipitation days = 10.0
|Aug precipitation days = 9.7
|Sep precipitation days = 10.3
|Oct precipitation days = 11.2
|Nov precipitation days = 12.4
|Dec precipitation days = 12.6
|year precipitation days = 132.0
|Jan sun = 58
|Feb sun = 77
|Mar sun = 122
|Apr sun = 174
|May sun = 207
|Jun sun = 202
|Jul sun = 212
|Aug sun = 201
|Sep sun = 145
|Oct sun = 118
|Nov sun = 64
|Dec sun = 48
|year sun = 1627
|source = [[Royal Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meteo.be/resources/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS12025_MECHELEN_nl.pdf|title=Klimaatstatistieken van de Belgische gemeenten|publisher=[[Royal Meteorological Institute]]|language=nl|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
}}

==Sports==
Home of two old Belgian [[association football|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, SK.Heffen, Zennester Hombeek, FC Muizen. In [[1985 ICF Flatwater Racing World Championships|1985]], the city hosted the [[ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships|Canoe Sprint World Championships]].

Home of the [[Rugby union in Belgium|rugby union]] club [[Mechelen RFC]]. Also the [[Ultimate (sport)|Ultimate]] club Freespect is located in Mechelen.

==Main sights==
[[File:Mechelen Sint-Rombouts.JPG|thumb|[[St. Rumbold's Cathedral]] on the ''Grote Markt'']]
[[File:Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk in Mechelen (DSCF0816).jpg|thumb|[[Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk]]]]
[[File:Groen waterke Mechelen a.JPG|thumb|'''t Groen Waterke'']]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:BridgeBruges.jpg|thumb|Dyle Bridge in Mechelen (ca. 1919) by [[Louis Dewis]]]] -->

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 the [[UNESCO]] World Heritage List as part of the [[Belfries of Belgium and France]] site.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 |title= Belfries of Belgium and France  |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 5 November 2021}}</ref> The domed, [[baroque]] [[Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk|Basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Hanswijk]], a famous place of pilgrimage in Belgium, was designed by native architect [[Lucas 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 from [[Peter Paul Rubens|Rubens]], 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 Jesuit [[Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal, Mechelen|Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal]].

Other religious buildings in Mechelen include the Palace of the [[Archbishop]] of the [[Archbishopric of Mechelen-Brussels]], still in use for its original purpose by the current [[Jozef De Kesel|Archbishop 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 Large [[Beguinage]]s), which house lay religious women, form part of the [[Flemish Béguinages]] World Heritage Site.<ref name = "unesco2">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/855|title = Flemish Béguinages |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 6 November 2021}}</ref> The grounds of the [[Theravada Buddhist]] place of worship [[Wat 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 granite [[socle (architecture)|socle]] – 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 finest [[tapestries]], for which Flanders was famous in the 16th century.

The Lakenhal (a [[cloth hall]]) and the 14th-century [[Belfry (architecture)|Belfry]] beside it are now incorporated with the modern City Hall complex on the main square. The hall and belfry are part of the [[Belfries of Belgium and France]] World Heritage Site for their civic importance and architecture.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 |title= Belfries of Belgium and France  |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 5 November 2021}}</ref> 

The [[Brusselpoort]], 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 of Mechelen|Great Council or Supreme Court]]), and the [[gothic architecture|gothic]]-[[renaissance]] [[Hof van Busleyden]] where [[Hieronymus van Busleyden]] received [[Erasmus]], [[Thomas More]], and the later [[Pope Adrian VI]], now house the City Museum. The [[Fish market mechelen|Vismarkt]] (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. The [[Hof van Savoye]] was built for [[Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy|Margaret of Austria]] while she was regent of the Netherlands and in it she raised the later [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles 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 of [[Margaret of York]] when she arrived in Mechelen after her marriage with [[Charles 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 of [[Antoon 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 the [[Coloma family]]

Mechelen also contains many museums, parks, and zoos:
* The [[Jewish Museum of Deportation and Resistance]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kazernedossin.eu/EN/|title = Kazerne Dossin &#124; Home}}</ref> in a wing of the former [[Mechelen transit camp|Casern Dossin]], built in the 18th century by Queen Maria Theresa of Austria, ruler of the [[Austrian Netherlands]].
* [[Technopolis (Belgium)|Technopolis]], center for hands-on Science and Technology.
* [[Mechelen Toy Museum]] at Nekkerspoel
* [[Planckendael Zoo]] in Muizen
* The [[Botanical Garden of Mechelen]] (Kruidtuin), a city park with marble statue of the 16th-century [[botanist]] [[Rembert Dodoens]]; Vrijbroek recreational park with around June its outstanding Rose Gardens and in summer its Dahlia Garden; the Tivoli Park with Children's Farm
*The Clock Museum, also known as the Watchmakers' Museum

Mechelen also contains the [[Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"]] where carillonneurs come from around the world to study the [[carillon]] and to play the instrument.

Other sites in Mechelen include:
*'t&nbsp;Groen&nbsp;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>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.erfgoednet.be/mechelen/index.cfm?action=INST&subject=1028 Railway industrial archeology museum ''De Mijlpaal'']{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

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=10 June 2005
|url=http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/pdf/brochures/mechelen/mechelen_brochure.pdf
|access-date=27 January 2007
}}</ref>

==Politics and government==
The city council consists of 43 councillors, elected every six years. The mayor is [[Bart Somers]] (Open Vld) since 2001. In October 2019 [[Alexander Vandersmissen]] became acting mayor because [[Bart Somers]] became minister in the Flemish government, he retains the title of mayor. The Vld-Groen-M+ ''[[Kartel (electoral alliance)|kartel]]'' got an absolute majority of seats in the [[Belgian local elections, 2018|October 2018 election]].

The 2019-2024 city council, elected in October 2018, consists of:
* [[Open Vld|Vld]]-[[Groen (political party)|Groen]]-M+: 25 seats
* [[N-VA]]: 7 seats
* [[Vlaams Belang]]: 4 seats
* [[CD&V]]: 3 seats
* [[sp.a]]: 3 seats
* [[Workers' Party of Belgium|PVDA]]: 1 seat

==Police==
The city of Mechelen uses [[Automatic number-plate recognition|ANPR]] cameras 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokalepolitie.be/5358/nieuws/1-latest-news/2175-automatische-nummerplaat-herkenningscameras-een-eerste-balans.html |title=ANPR in Mechelen |location=Belgium}}</ref>

Mechelen and [[Willebroek]] formed a unified local police zone on 1 January 2015; it was extended with [[Puurs-Sint-Amands]] and [[Bornem]] on 1 January 2023, the zone now being called {{ill|Rivierenland Police Zone|nl|Politiezone Rivierenland}}.

==Demographics==
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 of [[Moroccans in Belgium|Moroccan]] origin.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How one town helps residents balance being Belgian and Muslim |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2016/0720/How-one-town-helps-residents-balance-being-Belgian-and-Muslim |access-date=2023-07-03 |issn=0882-7729}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! rowspan="3" |Group of origin
! colspan="2" |Year
|-
! colspan="2" |2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Origin {{!}} Statbel |url=https://statbel.fgov.be/en/themes/population/structure-population/origin#figures |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=statbel.fgov.be}}</ref>
|-
!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==
{{See also|List of 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]], English poet (1497–c 1575)
*[[Archduchess Margaret of Austria|Margaret 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)
*[[Mary of Austria (1505–1558)|Mary]], [[Eleanor of Austria|Eleanor]] and [[Isabella of Austria]], nieces of Margaret of Austria
*[[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 group="n">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 [[Archduchess Margaret of Austria|Margaret]]'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. Margaret 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)
*[[Herregouts|David Herregouts]], painter (1603–?)
*[[Rik Wouters]], Painter and sculptor (1882–1916)
*[[François René Mallarmé]], French politician in exile (1755–1835)
*[[Ludwig van Beethoven (1712–1773)|Lodewijk van Beethoven]] (1712–73), grandfather of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], and the origin of the van Beethoven family
*[[Jules Van Nuffel]] (1883–1953), choir conductor and composer
*[[Ruckers|Hans Ruckers]] (1540s–1598), [[Virginals|Virginal]] and Organ Builder
*[[Adèle Colson]] (1905–1997), first woman in the world to earn a carillon certification
*[[Gaston Relens]] (1909–2011), painter
*[[Bart Somers]] (b. 1964), mayor who won the [[World Mayor]] Prize in 2016

==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|BOL}} [[Sucre]], Bolivia
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Dijon]], France
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yūki, Ibaraki|Yūki]], Japan (1996)
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Helmond]], Netherlands
*{{flagicon|ROM}} [[Sibiu]], Romania
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Arvada, Colorado|Arvada]], U.S.
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Lviv]], Ukraine

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="n"}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{ISBN|90-5837-089-5}}, Michelin's "De Grote Gids België"

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Mechelen}}
* [http://toerisme.mechelen.be/ Official website] – links to versions in {{in lang|en|fr|de}} that are partially constructed (July 2011)
* [http://www.virtueelmechelen.be/ Official Virtual Tour of the City of Mechelen]
* [http://mechelen.mapt.be/ Mechelen Mapt] – an online wiki encyclopedia about Mechelen. {{in lang|nl}}, some pages translated in .
<!--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)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070523012326/http://webid23.siskin.cipal.com/archief/mch-brln.htm 1775 Mechelen city plan] {{in lang|fr}} engraving by Berlin with c.1777 {{in lang|nl}} legend ([https://web.archive.org/web/20070928060713/http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&topid=8&collection_id=1&data_id=2639&photo_id=10682&PHPSESSID=a1e4a06118787ee8aaf33aec258c2ddf map info])
* {{in lang|nl}} [http://www.rim.be Restauratie Integratie Mechelen] a local heritage conservation organisation (summary page)

{{Geographic location
|Centre =  Mechelen
|North     = [[Rumst]]
|East      = [[Sint-Katelijne-Waver]]<br>[[Bonheiden]]
|Southeast = [[Boortmeerbeek]] ([[Flemish Brabant|VBR]])
|South     = [[Zemst]] ([[Flemish Brabant|VBR]])
|Southwest = [[Kapelle-op-den-Bos]] ([[Flemish Brabant|VBR]])
|West      = [[Willebroek]]
}}
{{Municipalities in Antwerp}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mechelen| ]]
[[Category:Lordship of Mechelen| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Antwerp Province]]
[[Category:Populated places in Antwerp Province]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Belgium]]