Belgium > Drinking a beer in Mechelen

It’s Saturday morning. At half past eight, I arrive at René’s place. We have a cup of coffee and then get into the car to drive to Mechelen. The roads are quiet. Before ten o’clock, we cross the Belgian border. At the Mechelen exit, the navigation says we still need eleven minutes for the last three kilometers. Could it be that busy? We enter Mechelen’s ring road. Signs indicate that the parking garages in the city center are full. Fortunately, we have reserved a parking spot at the hotel. Without much delay, we reach the exit to enter the city center. Here we encounter a one-way street, which we are not allowed to enter from this side. We choose a side street. The navigation is confused. So are we, because all side streets seem closed off. Before we realize it, we are back at the ring road. We are only not allowed to turn right. Large signs indicate that this is only allowed for buses and that there is camera surveillance. What now? We see no way to reach the hotel. We decide to call the hotel for help. The receptionist apologizes, explaining that many roadworks are ongoing and that the city center is becoming more car-free. This includes making the ring road one-way. We are advised to follow the ring road completely and take the exit at the Brussels Gate. It feels a bit odd to drive five kilometers out of the way, but now it works. At the hotel, the next challenge awaits. The parking garage is only 1.65 meters high. We actually have no idea how tall the car is. Fortunately, there is a bar at the entrance. We can just pass underneath. Through the glass roof, we see we only have a few centimeters of space. A little further on it gets tense when we have to drive under the concrete edge.

Belgium - The passage to the parking garage just fits

We carefully drive into the garage. We manage to get in without damage. The hotel is located in the city center. From the hotel, it takes only a few minutes to walk to the Grote Markt (Main Square). The square is full of market stalls. Around the edges of the square are several cafes and restaurants. At one of the terraces, we order a beer. A weak sun cautiously breaks through. At the edge of the Grote Markt stands the Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral. The cathedral is the largest church in the city. Construction started in the thirteenth century. A century later, the church was expanded. The nave of the church is built in Gothic style. In a side aisle hangs the painting Christ on the Cross, painted by Anthony van Dyck. However, the church is mainly famous for its 97-meter-high tower. Together with other Belgian church towers and belfries, the tower is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The church tower is climbable. We buy two tickets. Enthusiastically, we start climbing the tall tower. The staircase has no fewer than 539 steps. Along the way, we pass different floors: the crane room, the smithy room, and the bell chamber. Here hang the church bells, dating from the early 16th century. Originally, the plan was to build a much taller tower. The tower was supposed to be 167 meters high.

Belgium - View from the St Rumbolds Tower

Because towers collapsed in other cities at that time, it was decided not to build higher. There was also a shortage of money. From the top, we have a view over the city of Mechelen. We see the station, our hotel, and the ’t Anker brewery. Back down, we continue wandering through the city. At a terrace, we order something to eat for lunch. In the afternoon, we arrive at the west side of the city. Here we enter the Kruidtuin (Herb Garden). This park borders the Dijle River, which runs through Mechelen. There is a pontoon walkway on the water. We follow the path along the river. From the water, we see houses along the riverbank. New buildings alternate with restored old houses. All the way on the other side, we arrive at the former Lamot brewery. Here stand three characteristic old houses in a row from the sixteenth century. Together a beautiful sight. On the opposite side of the water lies the Veemarkt (Cattle Market). It is half past four, a nice time for a drink. Fortunately, there is still a free table. The terraces are pleasantly busy. The sun has shone all afternoon. Now it dips behind the houses. It immediately gets much cooler. At the end of the afternoon, we walk from the Kleine Begijnhof to the Grote Begijnhof. The ’t Anker brewery is located in the former buildings of the Beguines. The brewery of the Gouden Carolus beer. We have a reservation at the brasserie to eat. As a starter, we choose a beer tasting of Carolus beers. The beers have a high alcohol percentage.

Belgium - The historic brewery in the center of Mechelen

The Carolus Whisky Infused even up to 11.7%. We order some cheese to have something to eat as well. During dinner, we order another Carolus beer. Outside, it starts to rain. We can definitely say that we were lucky with the weather today. After dinner, we walk back to the hotel. It is still drizzling. Despite the rain, we take a short walk to the Brussels Gate. This is the last remaining city gate from the thirteenth century. In the hotel room, we prepare coffee. Then we quickly fall asleep.