Overview:

is the city hall of Mechelen, located on the Grand Market Square. The city hall is a late Renaissance building designed by the great architect Lieven de Key in 1559 and is one of the oldest surviving city halls in Europe. The architecture is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance style and proudly stands in the middle of the grand market square. The facade at the front of the building, with its four turrets and small alcoves, is most impressive. The interior of the building houses large halls, a municipal archive, and a secretariat for the city administration. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

1. Neo-Gothic Style Architecture: The Mechelen city hall is an imposing building with a neo-Gothic style architecture. The building's facade is decorated with steeply pointed towers, gargoyles, large statues, and numerous other intricate details. 2. Display of National and Local Symbolic Elements: The building prominently displays both national and local symbolic elements. From statues of the founder of the city and other prominent historical figures to the shield of Brabant as well as the City of Mechelen’s shield, these all symbolize Mechelen’s rich history and culture. 3. Lively Square: The square in front of the city hall is a lively place to be with plenty of activities. It is often filled with small markets, live music, and various other events that take place all year round. 4. Rich Tapestry of History: The city hall is a great example of a rich tapestry of history. Constructed between 1545-1555, after the merger of two councils, the building has seen numerous changes throughout the years. It was burned down during the 80 Years war and rebuilt and expanded several times. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

Mechelen City Hall, also known as the Stadhuis of Mechelen, is a historic building located in the Flemish city of Mechelen in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The building was originally constructed in 1481. The building was originally built in the Gothic style and was designed by Anthonis van Obberghen. The southern part of the building was designed by Cornelis Floris de Vriendt in 1550. The City Hall has been a major part of Mechelen’s history for centuries. The first municipal regulation listed in the city hall records dates back to the 12th century. In the 1400s, the City Hall was the place where the Royal Court tried to resolve conflicts between local counts and to grant franchises to merchants and craftsmen. The City Hall was also the site of important governor council meetings, which was the equivalent of the modern city council. In 1546, a major fire nearly destroyed the City Hall, but it was quickly rebuilt. The rebuilt City Hall included a jail, and in the 1700s, it became a symbol of repression for convicted criminals. During the Napoleonic Wars, Mechelen served as a military base and the City Hall was used as a barracks. In 2016, the City Hall celebrated its 500-year anniversary by being transformed into an interactive museum that tells the stories of Mechelen’s history. Today, the City Hall is still a center for public administration and meetings. However, it remains a major symbol of Mechelen’s history, and it is a popular place for tourists to visit and explore. The City Hall is a designated World Heritage Site and remains important to the Mechelen people as a reminder of their history and culture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechelen_City_Hall https://www.planetware.com/belgium/mechelen-bel-meche-mechelen.htm https://brussels.commons.bgsu.edu/mechelen-city-hall/ Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Mechelen City Hall was built in 1535 and is one of the oldest remaining Renaissance city halls in Europe. 2. The main part of the building is made of locally quarried stone called 'Kasseisteen'. 3. A distinctive feature of the City Hall is its main portal, decorated with sculptures of the Virgin Mary and fourteen saints. 4. The facade of the building boasts two wrought-iron balconies which were added in the 19th century. 5. The Mechelen City Hall houses an impressive collection of artworks, including Old Masters paintings and African tribal artifacts. 6. Inside the building there is also a series of original Breugbels, a series of monumental tapestries and sculptures from the 16th century. 7. The clock of the City Hall is one of Mechelen's most famous tourist attractions, with two figures of Charlemagne and Theodoric coming to life every hour. 8. Mechelen City Hall is one of the most important landmarks in Flemish-speaking Belgium, complete with one of the country's oldest belfries. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era