The Castle of Jehay

The Castle of Jehay is renowned for its checkerboard façade in white and brown stones. This beautiful Renaissance building dates back to the 16th century. It was the residence of the Counts van den Steen of Jehay since the end of the 17th century. After the decease of the last count in 1999 the castle was acquired by the province of Liège.

The interior houses a collection of fine antique furniture, sculptures, tapestry, paintings and other art objects. You can reach the garden by the bridge crossing the moat, here you can see the fountains and lots of unusual statues.

View location in Amay, Belgium.

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Mechelen

Mechelen is located in the province of Antwerp in Belgium. It lies between Brussels and Antwerp at about 25 km of both cities.

Houses on the Main Market Square with in the back the tower of the St. Rumbold's Cathedral.

Former city hall from the 13th century, now houses the post office.

Old signpost

The Grootbrug, connects the IJzerenleen and the Korenmarkt.


View from the Grootbrug.


Sint-Petrus-and-Paulus Church, located next to Margaret of York's Palace

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Old houses at the Zoutwerf.


Houses from the 16th century on the Haverwerf.

View location of Mechelen, Belgium.

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IJzerenleen

The IJzerenleen is one of the main shopping streets in Mechelen. It begins at the Schepenhuis, the oldest stone-built city hall in Flanders and ends at the Grootburg, the oldest stone bridge in Mechelen. Both were built in the 13th century.

View location in Mechelen, Belgium.

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St. Rumbold's Cathedral

The cathedral was named after Saint Rumbold, an Irish missionary who Christianized the area of Mechelen in the 7th century. Construction began in the 13th century and was finished 300 years later. The 97,20 m high tower of the St. Rumbold's Cathedral dominates the centre of Mechelen. Originally the tower should have reached a height of 160 m, these plans could not be completed due to financial problems. In 1999 the St. Rumbold's tower was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The interior has amongst others sculptures of the 12 apostles, the painting ' The crucified Christ ' made by Antoon van Dijck and the main altar in polychrome marble made by Lucas Faydherbe. Inside the cathedral is also the tomb of the famous cardinal Désiré-Joseph Mercier.

View location in Mechelen, Belgium.

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The Main Market Square in Mechelen

The Main Market Square in Mechelen is dominated by the tower of the St Rombold's Cathedral. Around the square are houses from the 16th century in Renaissance style and from the 18th century in Rococo style.
On the east side is the Town Hall(3rd photo), it has 3 different parts. On the left is the Palace of the Great Council, in the middle the unfinished Belfry and on the right the Cloth Market.

View location in Mechelen, Belgium.

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