Stadhuis

The Town Hall has a rather jumbled appearance due to Margaret of Austria who, in 1526, had the left hand side of the building demolished and replaced by the current construction. The plans to demolish and rebuild the rest of the Town Hall were abandoned after her death in 1530. To the right of the building is the Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall). In front of the Stadhuis is a modern sculpture of “Op Signoorke”, the city’s mascot.

The Little Devils

Located by the River Dijle, near to the Vismarkt, are three quaint 15th and 16th century houses which have been beautifully restored. Het Paradijske (Little Paradise) takes its name from the Garden of Eden reliefs which are above its windows, De Duiveltjes (Little Devils) is adorned with carved demons, and lastly Sint-Jozef is an impressive example of a Baroque merchant’s house. Although they are not open to visitors, they are worth visiting to take in their delightful exteriors.

Palais van Margaretha van Oostenrijk

The Palace was built in 1507 for Margaret of Austria, the Regent of the Netherlands. Since 1796 it has served as Mechelen’s Law Courts.

Brusselpoort

The only surviving 14th century gate out of the original twelve that once surrounded Mechelen.