Text Renée Cordes
Located between Brussels and Antwerp, the Flemish town of Mechelen (known as Malines in French), on the river Dilje, is rich in history and architecture and well worth an excursion at the very least
1 CLIMB 514 steps to the top of the St Rumbold’s Tower, a 97m medieval tower – part of the Cathedral – that offers lovely views of the town. Originally meant to be 167m high, construction was, alas, halted in the 16th century due to financial difficulties.
2 RELISH the art treasures inside St Rumbold’s Cathedral, one of Belgium’s most impressive churches and the seat of the country’s archbishop. Don’t miss the main altar, created by Lucas Faydherbe in 1665, or the beautifully sculpted wooden pulpit dating back to 1721.
3 TOUR the town – or just its pubs – by horse-drawn carriage or horse-drawn tram, run by the Koetsenbedrijf Eddy Delissen (www.koetsbedrijf.be). Numerous packages are available, depending on your needs, the occasion and number of travellers.
4 QUENCH your thirst with a Gouden Carolus beer, Mechelen’s pride and joy, which comes from the local Het Anker (The Anchor) brewery. Go straight to the source and take a tour of the factory, housed in a 17th-century gabled building.
5 HAVE a ball at the Toy Museum, a huge palace of playthings from around the world with interesting rotating exhibitions (www.speelgoedmuseum.be). Stock up on teddy bears, brain-teasers and other unique gifts at the museum shop this holiday season.
6 FEED your inner Einstein at Technopolis, a science centre that allows visitors to conduct their own experiments in 280 interactive exhibits (www.technopolis.be). See what it’s like to stand inside a soap bubble or ride a bicycle 5m above the ground!
7 TAKE a breather at the Planckendael park and zoo (www.planckendael.be), located just outside Mechelen en route to Leuven. Originally set up as a refuge for young or sick animals from Antwerp Zoo, today it’s a full-sized animal park in its own right, covering some 16.2 hectares.
8 LEARN all about one of Belgium’s richest cultural traditions at the De Wit Royal Manufacturers of Tapesty, Flanders’ only workshop to maintain the art of Flemish tapestry making, located in the former Tongerlo Abbey (www.dewit.be).
9 STOCK UP on horse milk – credited with having health benefits – at De Beck Horse Farm and Dairy, located just outside of Mechelen in the town of Leest. There’s an on-site store and tours for groups or individuals can be arranged on request (www.paardenmelkerijdebeck.be).
10 CYCLE along one of several routes that take you past canals, picturesque green landscapes and even sand-dunes. The Scheldeland network is based on a cycle-by-numbers principle that’s easy to follow. (More information from the Tourist Office, tel. +32 (0)15 297655.)
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