Mechelen, Netherlands

Mechelen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɛxələ(n)]; Limburgish: Mechele [ˈmæçələ]) is a town in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, and lies about 13 km south of Heerlen.

Mechelen
Mechele
Village
The centre of Mechelen
The centre of Mechelen
Mechelen is located in Netherlands
Mechelen
Mechelen
Location in the Netherlands
Mechelen is located in Limburg, Netherlands
Mechelen
Mechelen
Location in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 50°47′47″N 5°55′30″E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceLimburg
MunicipalityGulpen-Wittem
Area
[1]
 • Total9.74 km2 (3.76 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
116 m (381 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total1,485
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6280-6281[1]
Dialing code043

History

The village was first mentioned in 1133 as "de Mechluns", and means "mighty place". It was sometimes called Klein-Mechelen (little Mechelen) to distinguish from Mechelen.[3] Mechelen developed around a large farm which was donated to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta by Henry III, Duke of Limburg. Until 1795, it was a heerlijkheid except for the commandery and a small part of the village which formed an independent enclave.[4]

The Heerenhof is the remainder of the commandery and farm. In 1797, it became private property. In 1986, it became the town hall. The complex has experienced several fires, and the oldest building dates from 1754.[4]

The St John the Baptist Church is a single-aisled church. It burnt down in 1568, and was enlarged between 1810 and 1811 and 1863 to 1867. In 1935, it was redesigned with a larger tower by Joseph Cuypers.[4]

Mechelen was home to 740 people in 1840.[5] Mechelen used to be the capital of the municipality of Wittem. In 1998, it became part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem.[5]

  • John the Baptist Church
    John the Baptist Church
  • Street of Mechelen
    Street of Mechelen
  • Restaurant in Mechelen
    Restaurant in Mechelen
  • Hotel in a former brewery
    Hotel in a former brewery

References
  1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 April 2022. two entries
  2. "Postcodetool for 6281AB". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  3. "Mechelen - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  4. Sabine Broekhoven, & Ronald Stenvert (2003). Mechelen (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9623 6. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  5. "Mechelen". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 April 2022.
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