Human rights walk
Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium
Hiking route: 537947
Provided by: Visit Mechelen
4.7 km
265 kcal
10 m
Description
History comes to life
The starting point of this route is at the town hall on the Grote Markt. In this town hall, among other things, the trial of the war criminals of Breendonk was conducted. Then you continue to the Désiré Boucherystraat. This street is named after a socialist councilor from Mechelen who was active in resistance groups during the Second World War. A little further on you will pass the Palace of Margaret of Austria, which was used as a court of law from 1616 to 1796 and is still used today. You then walk past the Ontleidingsplein at Mechelen-Nekkerspoel station and the Tinel site with the Kazerne Dossin memorial.
Fort Breendonk
A little later you pass the wall of the trial of Breendonk. Breendonk is a Belgian fort near Willebroek that was used by the Nazis during World War II as a labor camp and transit camp. There were more such camps in Europe, but this is the only camp in Western Europe that is still completely intact.
Back to the beginning
On the last part of the route you will pass the Municipal Museum Hof van Busleyden, the Chaldo-Assyrian Church - Katelijnekerkhof, the Groot Begijnhof Mechelen, the Sint-Romboutskerkhof with the monument of the Mechelen Peasant Warriors and the Archbishop's Palace and mausoleum Sint-Rombouts Cathedral : Cardinal Mercier. The monument of the Mechelse Peasant Warriors is an ancient grave with the remains of 41 peasant warriors from 1798. These warriors were executed by the French occupier at the time and buried in a mass grave. At the end of the route you will return to the Grote Markt.
Tour tip; Hiking with kids! Routes up to 5 km are ideal
Height Profile
In the heart of Flanders, between Brussels and Antwerp, you will find beautiful Mechelen. Stroll past ancient sights and narrow city streets. Thousands of beautiful stories are here for the taking. The city center is surrounded by lush green areas that make the hearts of cyclists and walkers beat faster.
You do not want to miss this
Below you will find various suggestions for breaks that you can visit during your route. These are divided into different categories, making it easy for you to choose.
Sights
Directions
| # | Description | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grote Markt: stadhuis (Binnenplein Stadhuis, 2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 0.00 km | ||
| Désiré Boucherystraat (Zakstraat, 2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 0.13 km | ||
| Gerechtshof - Paleis van Margareta van Oostenrijk (2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 0.56 km | ||
| Ontvoeringsplein aan station Mechelen-Nekkerspoel (Ontvoeringsplein, 2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 0.87 km | ||
| Kazerne Dossin (Goswin de Stassartstraat, 2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 1.93 km | ||
| Muur proces van Breendonk (2800, Mechelen, Flanders, Belgium) | 2.25 km |
Place name directory
Reviews
Read the experiences of others below. This way you find out what score the route has received and you can decide whether this route is for you. Have fun!
