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Square · Mechelen, Antuérpia
Grote Markt
The central square of Mechelen, between the cathedral and the Stadhuis, a ensemble that combines an unfinished belfry, a 14th-century cloth market and a neo‑Gothic hall.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Grote Markt
The Grote Markt of Mechelen is a large square, with the Sint-Rombout tower on one side and the town hall on the other. Around it are houses with façades from several centuries, cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating.
The Stadhuis is made up of three connected parts: a medieval belfry that was never completed, the old 14th-century cloth market, and a neo-Gothic hall finished in 1911. That hall followed a 16th-century design that had been shelved for centuries.
On the same square is the Schepenhuis, considered the oldest stone town hall in Flanders. It was the seat of the Great Council, the highest court of the Netherlands, when Mechelen was the region's capital at the beginning of the 16th century, under Margarida da Áustria.
The statue in the center of the square honors Margarida da Áustria, who ruled the Netherlands from Mechelen. Major pedestrian streets like the Bruul and the IJzerenleen radiate from the square.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20 to 40 minutes to see the square and the façades.
Best time
In the late afternoon and evening, when the façades are lit. On Saturday mornings there is usually a market in the square and nearby streets; check before you go.
How to get there
From Mechelen station, walk along Hoogstraat and the Bruul: about 15 minutes. From Mechelen-Nekkerspoel station, around 10 minutes.
Tip
Use the square as a base: the cathedral is here, and the Hof van Busleyden and the Kazerne Dossin are less than a 10-minute walk away.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Grote Markt
Who was Margaret of Austria?
Ruler of the Low Countries in the early 16th century. She lived in Mechelen, which became the capital of the region during that period.
What is the Schepenhuis?
A building on the Grote Markt considered the oldest stone town hall in Flanders, which served as the seat of the Great Council.