A visit to Mechelen (Malinas)

In order for you to get to know a little more about the town where I have lived for two months now, I'm going to tell you some more about it, focussing on the places that are worth visiting. I won't begin before I have welcomed Celia; this is dedicated to her and the beautiful degree she is studying.

Firstly, it is very easy to get to Mechelen by train. Amberes train station is much older than the other railway stations in Europe and the section between Amberes - Malinas is also very old.

From there, it is firstly advisable to visit the Tower of Brussels, which dates back to the 13th century. It was used as an archaeological museum, although, from what I can understand, it now serves as a studio where enormous dolls are created that march down the streets every 25 years.

Afterwards, we are going to walk towards the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Over-De-Dijlekerk Church. Why this church? For three simple reasons:

1. During tranquil afternoons on sunny days, enter and let yourself be surprised by the beauty and colours of the stained glass windows that fill this gothic church with light.

2. "The Miraculous Catch of Fish" by Peter Paul Rubens (1619).

3. The carillon that can be heard playing by the students of the "Carillon School". And no wonder, since you are in the city of bells.

While we take a calm walk through the Kruidtuin Botanical Park, we can try the typical "Frietten" or chips. We can continue towards the Grote Markt, the main square.

Here we will find ourselves at the old Town Hall, constructed in the 14th century...

And the Cathedral of Mechelen which took 300 years to be built, from the 12th century to the 16th. The tower should have been 160 meters high, but the Medieval religious wars left the tower at only 97 meters high. From here, we have unique views of Malinas.

In the same square, in front of the Town Hall, we will find this statue:

This is of a drunk man that is being wrapped in a blanket, and it is there because, in the past, there was "a drunk" in the square who wrapped himself in a blanket in front of all those present in the square... Somewhat strange, but good.

And to finish our visit, let's go to the Jewish Museum, even though I haven't been there, but I have heard that it is very good; the old palace of Margaret of Austria, with a beautiful garden to visit...

. Let's go past the canal and over the rest of the relaxed afternoon through the streets of Mechelen, let's go and discover small and enchanting churches.

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