The Fish market in the city of Mechelen - river Dyle

The Fish market of Mechelen (Dutch: Vismarkt) is a 16th-century square located in the heart of the city along the river Dyle (Dutch: Dijle) in the Belgian city of

Mechelen Mechelen (; french: Malines ; traditional English name: MechlinMechelen has been known in English as ''Mechlin'', from where the adjective ''Mechlinian'' is derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical contex ...

. It is after the death of Margaret of Austria in the year 1531 that because of odor nuisance it was decided to move everything from the iron loan to the current fish market. Until then, there was actually no mention of the name Vismarkt but of the “Nauwstraat” of which a short street remains today as a reminder. From then on, the rectangular square was separated from the Dyle by a brick wall and shielded by an iron railing from the 20th century. A bluestone pump (1687) and a cast iron pump (1865) were also demolished at the time." 'From the 1950's until the 1990's the place served as a parking lot. Fortunately the city decided to revalue the square' Since 2011 the square is connected to the Haverwerf and the Lamot site via de "Van Beethovenbrug". This bridge is named after

Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classical ...

(1712–1773), grandfather of the famous

, a musician from the city of Mechelen who had moved to Bonn at the age of 21. The square has one side street named "de Begijnenstraat" (English: "Beguines street"). Notable because the name refers to the Beguines, who lived in this area until the 13th century, before the first

Beguinage A beguinage, from the French term ''béguinage'', is an architectural complex which was created to house beguines: lay religious women who lived in community without taking vows or retiring from the world. Originally the beguine institution was ...

of the city was established. In 2018, the last fish shop closed. Nowadays the area offers an attractive mix of interior & home decoration shops, antique dealers, bars, restaurants and hotels. Combined with several urban renewal projects (e.g. the prestigious "Loretteklooster") and private investments (renovation and retirement flats), local population increased considerably in the last decade.

Buildings

Due to its location the area dates back to at least medieval times. Most buildings around the square dates back to 17th century - 19th century. Notable: * Refuge of Villers (14th century, rebuilt around 1577) * House "De Drij Snoecken" (18th century) * House "Gulden Rabat" (18th century) * House "De Steur" (19th century)

References

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Buildings and structures in Mechelen