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Brusselpoort

Buildings and structures in MechelenGates in BelgiumHistory museums in BelgiumMuseums in Antwerp ProvinceUse British English from November 2023
Mechelen, de Brusselpoort RM3411 foto8 2011 09 23 12.52
Mechelen, de Brusselpoort RM3411 foto8 2011 09 23 12.52

The Brusselpoort (English: Brussels Gate) is the sole remaining city gate of the original twelve gates of Mechelen, Belgium. This imposing structure dates from the 13th century. Because of its exceptional height, towering above the other gates, it was also called the Overste Poort ("Superior Gate"). In the 16th century, the towers were lowered and the roof construction was altered to the present configuration.In the course of the centuries, the building had many different uses: from police station to youth centre, from duty collector's office to artist's workshop (Alfred Ost). It then became a museum about the city's history containing documents and archaeological finds. The collection of the De Maan City Puppet Theater is currently stored there. The Brusselpoort is not accessible to visitors.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Brusselpoort (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Brusselpoort
Brusselsepoortstraat,

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Wikipedia: BrusselpoortContinue reading on Wikipedia

Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 51.021666666667 ° E 4.4736111111111 °
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Address

Brusselsepoortstraat 3
2800 (Mechelen)
Antwerp, Belgium
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Mechelen, de Brusselpoort RM3411 foto8 2011 09 23 12.52
Mechelen, de Brusselpoort RM3411 foto8 2011 09 23 12.52
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Schepenhuis, Mechelen
Schepenhuis, Mechelen

The Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House) of Mechelen is a building where the city's aldermen held their meetings in the Middle Ages. It is located on the edge of the Grote Markt, between the latter and the IJzerenleen and is considered the first stone 'town hall' of Flanders.In the 13th century, Mechelen experienced an economic revival due to the flourishing cloth trade. As a result, the need for buildings grew. In 1288 it was decided to erect a stone building for the aldermen's bench, which until then met in the open air. The building was expanded between 1374 and 1375. The decoration was done by André Beauneveu and Jan van Mansdale, among others.The interior includes a remarkable archive room on the ground floor. Previously called Vierschaere, it has a remarkable oak ceiling. In the interior there are 12 sculpted balkzolen created between 1375 and 1378 by Herman Van Blankene and Jan van Lokeren. The original furnishings have been preserved only in the 1374 wing. There are cross bracings supported by corbels of carved stone made by Jan I Keldermans (Mansdale) between 1377 and 1385. The original fireplace and a stone landing staircase were removed in 1772. On the above floor there is a library that was formerly the meeting room of the aldermen. The chimney is by Andries Keldermans, with a mantelpiece made by Frans Sanders in 1526. On the north wall there is a 16th-century fresco depicting the Crucifixion. The stairway tower dates from 1407.During the reign of Charles the Bold, the Parliament of Mechelen was installed in the Schepenhuis in 1473. This parliament was the highest court of law in the Netherlands. In 1477 it was abolished by Mary of Burgundy. Philip the Handsome decided to re-establish the parliament, under the name Grote Raad van Mechelen. In 1616 the council moved to the former palace of Margaret of Austria, also in Mechelen. The building was later given various functions. For example, from 1811 to 1846 the city academy was housed here. From 1852 the building served as a municipal museum. On 1 November 1897 it was turned into a city archive and city library. The building was heavily damaged during the First World War. Several restoration campaigns followed, in 1916-1917, 1932 and 1934-1938. From 2000, the Schepenhuis served again as a museum. In 2011, an exhibition of works by Rik Wouters from the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts opened, as the Antwerp museum was undergoing works of renovation. Until the end of these works in 2017, the Wouters collection remained in the Schepenhuis. Since 9 September 2018, the Schepenhuis is the new location of the tourist information office "Visit and UiT in Mechelen".