Mechelen
Mechelen (Malines in French) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper and the towns of Heffen, Hombeek, Leest, Muizen and Walem. On January 1st, 2000 Mechelen had a total population of 75,438 (36,787 males and 38,651 females). The total area is 65.82 km² which gives a population density of 1,146.13 inhabitants per km². An old-fashioned English name for the town is Mechlin.
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2 Things to see in Mechelen: 3 External Link |
The area of Mechelen was first settled on the banks of the river Dijle during the Gallo-Roman period as evidenced by several Roman ruins and roads. The settlement declined during the 3th-4th century and the area became inhabited by pagan Germanic tribes, who were converted to Christianity by the Irish missionary St Rombold, who also built a monastery.
The highly lucrative cloth trade gained Mechelen wealth and power during the late middle-ages and even became the capital of the Netherlands in the first half of the 16th century under Margaret of Austria's reign.
History
Things to see in Mechelen:
External Link