Streets and squares

The Grote Markt, the central square in the historic centre, is dominated by St Rumbold's Tower. You can see it wherever you are. On the other side of the square is the Town...

The Bruul is Mechelen's busiest shopping street. You may know it fromthe game of Monopoly. You can shop here to your heart's content in largehigh-street chains and charming...

Fish was first traded on the Vismarkt in 1531, after the fish merchants were expelled from the IJzerenleen because of complaints about the smell of fish. There are still...

Many Mechelaars regard the IJzerenleen as Mechelen's Champs Elysées. Fortunately there are fewer cars. The street boasts imposing façades, lovely shops and...

The Botermarkt, or Butter Market, is a convivial little square between Bruul and Muntstraat. Nowadays the Botermarkt is a shopping street with several large chain stores.

Originally oats were unloaded and traded here. Oats used to be synonymous with grain and Mechelen had the exclusive staple rights to grain. Boats carrying grain had to tie...

This triangular square was the site of Mechelen's first market. Originally it was a general market, but later on it specialized in grain. In those days the square was also...

At the foot of St Rumbold's Tower is the wonderfully easy-going and relaxed Wollemarkt, or Wool Market. It boasts numerous excellent restaurants and the many bars make it...