Sunday 20 November 2011

The “Brusselpoort” or the gate of Brussels in Mechelen

The Brusselpoort is located at the end of the Hoogstraat and the Koningin Astridlaan on the main road around the city centre. It is one of the gates of the now destroyed wall around Mechelen from the 13th century. The gate was renovated during the 17th century and stands now proud on one of the busiest traffic roads of town. Many of these ancient buildings are only kept in shape for historical value. Here the city of Mechelen is using the tower also for office space.

De Brusselpoort is gelegen op het einde van de Hoogstraat en de Koningin Astridlaan op de Mechelse ring rond het stadscentrum. Het is één van de poorten van de oude stadsmuur uit de 13de eeuw, die heden ten dage vernietigd is. De poort werd gerenoveerd gedurende de 17de eeuw en is nu een pronkstuk op de drukste verkeersader van de stad. Vele van deze oude gebouwen worden slechts voor historische waarde in stand gehouden maar hier gebruikt men de toren ook als kantoorruimte.

Brusselpoort Mechelen
Brusselpoort Mechelen
Brusselpoort Mechelen
Brusselpoort Mechelen
Brusselpoort Mechelen
Brusselpoort Mechelen
Previous Mechelen article: Wagyu Carpaccio on the terrace of Grand Cafe Lamot, Mechelen

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9 comments:

  1. A sturdy looking castle but also quite a bit of fairytale beauty about it.

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  2. So this is the gate of what was a wall? It does look like a castle! So foreboding, like there may be prisoners in chains there! I'm taking a computer break for three days, so I will see you on Thursday!

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  3. Gret photos. How can it be a gate of Brussels which is 25 km away? Surely it is the gate of Mechelin?

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  4. Soooooooo grand, and i have the same question with Michael and Hanne, how can it be a gate of Brussels 25 km away? Sounds impossible

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  5. In the 13th century a wall was standing around the city to protect it against attacks. This was a common approach for many cities in Europe. It is not a mistake, this gate is called the Brusselpoort because it was the entrance to the city from the road, diection from Brussels. In those times there was a rivalty and tension for power between several major cities in the region. (Leuven, Mechelen, Lier, Brussel). I hope it helps a bit the understand from where the name comes.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  6. That is so neat. It looks in great shape for being so old. How good is that? Keeping restored for historical reasons. Great shots too.

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  7. Beautiful! I love old cities. It's nice that this part of the old walls still remains.

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  8. Europe is truly amazing, and is that girl in the pool for real ? ... some day, we are going to save enough money to travel to Europe for a trip or 2 (with my wife) !
    ... and in Asia, about chopsticks, well I think depends on the serving, if it is noodles or something on a bowl, there are usually chopsticks provided and usually those bamboo disposable chopsticks !

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  9. How cool it is to go to office every day and enter a castle! :D If I ever work there, I'll imagine I'm a pricess or Rapunzel or something.. Haha

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