Mechelen, Netherlands
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mechelen
| other_name = Mechele
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline = Dorpskern Mechelen (NL).JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = The centre of Mechelen
| image_flag =
| image_shield =
| image_map =
| image_map1 =
| pushpin_map = Netherlands#Netherlands Limburg
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Netherlands##Location in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Limburg
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Gulpen-Wittem
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 6281AB |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 24 April 2022 }}
| elevation_m = 116
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 9.74
| established_title =
| established_date =
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=24 April 2022 |quote=two entries}}
| population_total = 1,485
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| area_code_type = Dialing code
| area_code = 043
| coordinates = {{coord|50|47|47|N|5|55|30|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
}}
Mechelen ({{IPA|nl|ˈmɛxələ(n)}}; {{langx|li|Mechele}} {{IPA|li|ˈmæxələ|}}) 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.
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.{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/mechelen |title=Mechelen - (geografische naam) |website=Etymologiebank |access-date=24 April 2022 |language=nl}} 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.{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu08_01/sten009monu08_01_0093.php |title=Mechelen |author=Sabine Broekhoven, & Ronald Stenvert| year=2003 |publisher=Waanders |location=Zwolle |isbn=90 400 9623 6 |access-date=24 April 2022 |language=nl}}
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.
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.
Mechelen was home to 740 people in 1840. Mechelen used to be the capital of the municipality of Wittem. In 1998, it became part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem.{{cite web|url=https://www.plaatsengids.nl/mechelen |title=Mechelen |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=24 April 2022 |language=nl}}
Gallery
File:Mechelen-Kerk (4).JPG|John the Baptist Church
File:Mechelewkped08.jpg|Street of Mechelen
File:Restaurant Proeff Mechelen P1300863.jpg|Restaurant in Mechelen
File:Hoofdstraat Mechelen P1300902.jpg|Hotel in a former brewery
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Dutch municipality Gulpen-Witten}}
{{Authority control}}