Mechelen

The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park. In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.

A green lung right in the heart of the city. There are several already, but from April 1st you will also be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the Silent Garden at the Archiepiscopal Palace. This green space located between the Wollemarkt and Schoutetstraat will be open three days a week. Take a stroll in the garden and admire the sheds, the Lourdes grottoes, the pavilion but also the garden wall itself, all of which have just been restored. With the emphasis on silence, this little oasis right under St Rumbold’s Tower is just the place to switch off the technology and unwind.

The 50-hectare-plus Vrijbroek Park is situated on the outskirts of the city. It is the ideal place to walk, kick a football around or read. A visit to the magnificent rose garden is highly recommended, even if only for the seductive scent of the more than 100 different species of rose! In 2003 the World Federation of Rose Societies granted it the 'Award of Garden Excellence'. A great effort has been made to make visits informative, so for example you will find name-plates all over the garden as well as brochures of walks.

Tivoli park was once the grounds of a castle barely two kilometres from the historic centre of Mechelen. These days you can enjoy a quiet stroll here across the large expanses of grass, past ancient trees, a highly-scented rose garden, a herb garden and other delightful nooks. Now pure white again, in 1990 the famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre wrapped the castle in sheets of paper covered with ballpoint lines for which 150,000 blue pens were required! Since 1991 the mansion has housed a catering establishment specializing in parties, seminars and the like. Drinks, snacks and lunches are served to the general public in the adjoining orangery. Small children will love meeting a whole variety of farm animals on the children's farm. Other attractions include the large bee colony and the educational nature trail where signs draw your attention to aspects of the park's history, fauna and flora.

Eglegem Lake, a large expanse of water, also popularly known as 'de put' or 'the pit', came into being when the E19 motorway was constructed. It is now a wonderful nature reserve where you can sail, windsurf and fish. Walking and cycling enthusiasts will be in their element too! The walk round the lake is about 3 kilometres.

You'll find fewer places more conducive to rest and relaxation than this former convent garden, a green oasis in the centre of Mechelen!

Embark for a fascinating boat trip on the Dyle, Mechelen's lifeblood! You will learn all about the sights you pass on the riverbanks and you will be fed interesting snippets of information and anecdotes about Mechelen's history as you go.