Grote Markt and St Rumbold's Cathedral

The Grote Markt of Mechelen is the main square of the city, in the province of Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, and is dominated by Saint Rumbold's Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal). Mechelen was once the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands under Margaret of Austria, and the square reflects that history with the Gothic town hall, the Palace of the Great Council and the Renaissance-style buildings around it. The cathedral's 97-metre tower is a UNESCO World Heritage monument, part of the Belfries of Belgium and France. It was meant to reach about 167 metres but construction stopped in the 16th century, leaving the flat-topped tower seen today. Visitors can climb 538 steps to a viewing platform, passing the carillon rooms, where one of the world's leading carillon schools trains players, and a panorama that covers the town and, on clear days, the skylines of Antwerp and Brussels. The ascent takes some effort and the whole tower visit takes around one hour. Inside the cathedral are Gothic arches, a Baroque pulpit and an altarpiece, and the painting Crucifixion by Anthony van Dyck, a highlight for art lovers. The square itself holds a weekly market on Saturday mornings and many cafes with terraces. The best photo angles are from the south side of the square looking up at the tower, and from the tower gallery looking down on the red-tile rooftops. Weekend afternoons and carillon concert days are the most crowded, while weekday mornings are calm. Tower opening is seasonal and may be restricted by weather, so checking the official site first is wise. Mechelen station is a ten-minute walk and trains from Brussels and Antwerp take 15 to 25 minutes.