Mechelen City Hall, Gothic town hall at Grote Markt, Belgium
Mechelen City Hall comprises two connected parts: a cloth hall with an unfinished belfry tower and the Palace of the Great Council, forming an impressive ensemble at the Grote Markt. The facade displays details from different building phases, and the combination of both structures creates a layered and complex architectural composition.
Construction of the belfry tower began in the fourteenth century but was never completed due to the decline of the cloth trade and lack of funds. The finished palace building and the preserved hall still demonstrate the importance of Mechelen as a major administrative and trading center of that era.
The building reflects the shift from medieval to Renaissance forms and shows how artistic taste changed in this region over time. The two connected structures tell the story of a wealthy trading center whose ambitions were captured in stone and decoration.
The building stands at the central Grote Markt and is easily reached on foot from other city landmarks. Visitors can explore the interior through guided city walks organized by local tourism services.
A temporary roofing solution installed in the sixteenth century eventually became a permanent fixture for the unfinished belfry tower and has remained in place for over 400 years. This unintended long-term solution continues to define the tower's appearance and its distinctive skyline profile.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
