Belgium: The City of Mechelen

Mechelen is a city and municipality in the province of Antwerp, Flanders.
As the river Dijle flows through the city, Mechelen is often referred to as the Dijlestad ("City on the river Dijle").
It is one of Flanders' prominent cities of historical art, with Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, and Leuven. It was notably a centre for artistic production during the Northern Renaissance.

There are many places of interest in this city. Some of them belong to the UNESCO World Heritage, like the St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal) with its dominating tower and the city gate: the Brusselpoort, the last remaining of the city's twelve gates.

Other interesting builidings and spots are the Lakenhal (hall for merchants of woollen cloth) and the 14th century Belfry beside it, they form now the City Hall at the Grand Market square.
The Klein Begijnhof and the Groot Begijnhof (Small and Large Béguinages).
The Refuge of Sint-Truiden and the Refuge of Tongerlo, retreat mansions for distant abbeys.
't Groen Waterke, a picturesque small remnant of bygone canals.
These are just a few of them.
Also there are many interesting facades when you go for a walk in the old center.