Vrijbroekpark Gardens – View of the Dijle and Fish Market loop from Mechelen-Nekkerspoel

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Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Vrijbroekpark Gardens – View of the Dijle and Fish Market loop from Mechelen-Nekkerspoel

Hard

3.5

(2)

493

runners

Vrijbroekpark Gardens – View of the Dijle and Fish Market loop from Mechelen-Nekkerspoel

02:23

22.9km

50m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 15.5 km for 21 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

837 m

Grote Markt (Main Market Square), Mechelen

Highlight • Historical Site

The Grote Markt is the central square of Mechelen's city center. The St. Rumbold's Tower dominates the square. You can see it from everywhere. On the other side of the square you will find the City Hall. Look at the houses around the Grote Markt: from different times and in different styles, including 16th century Renaissance and 18th century rococo.
In 2004 the Grote Markt was made traffic-free and an underground car park was built.
Archaeological finds were made during the construction, including an old well and a road from the thirteenth century. At that time there were already market stalls along this road. And now there is still a lively market here every Saturday morning.
visit.mechelen.be/nl/grote-markt

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1.23 km

Grootbrug (Hoogbrug) over the Dijle

Highlight • Bridge

A bridge that has fulfilled its function for more than 800 years.
The Gothic Hoog- or Grootbrug dates from the 13th century.
It has four arches: three connect the high with the low bank of the Beneden-Dijle and the fourth covers the vliet to the IJzerenleen.
Also notice the former toll booth that hangs over the water at the 'Restaurant Madrid' building. The toll booth was also called "the leftover" because it hangs all the way over the river.

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1.66 km

Church of Our Lady over the Dijle

Highlight • Religious Site

At the end of the steep street 't Plein is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-over-de-Dijle church. It was built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, on the site where the first parish church of Mechelen probably stood. The tower contains a complete carillon with 49 bells.

Moreover, you can discover exceptional art treasures in the Dijlekerk. Just like in St. John's Church, Rubens also painted a work for this church. The fishmongers commissioned him to illustrate the richness of their craft, as they did with the construction of 'De Grooten Zalm' on the Zoutwerf. The large triptych 'The miraculous catch of fish' tells the biblical story of the same name and once again demonstrates the richness of their craft.

Furthermore, the fourteenth-century statue 'Our Lady with the Leaning Lee' is a real eye-catcher. It is the only free-standing statue in Mechelen from that period and owes its name to the typical position of Mary's hip.

Source: tourism Mechelen

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3.13 km

Vrijbroekpark Gardens

Highlight • Natural

The ‘Vrijbroekpark’ is located between the Dijle and the Zenne, on the territory of the municipality of Mechelen. The boundaries of this park are formed by the residential area of the city of Mechelen in the east, the Hombeekse Steenweg in the south, the Uilmolenweg (parallel to the E19 Antwerp-Brussels motorway) in the west and the residential area of the Stuivenbergbaan in the north.
(Inventory of Immovable Heritage)

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3.79 km

Hotel ruins

Highlight • Monument

From here, you'll find yourself at the entrance to the Vrijbroekpark Hotel Ruin. Cycling is not permitted here. You can explore the Hotel Ruin and the Street Art Festival at a walking pace.

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13.4 km

Het Brughuis Tavern

Highlight • Restaurant

A suitable stop for the thirsty or those who enjoy life.

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16.9 km

Thiebroekvaart

Lake

21.5 km

Haverwerf Historic Houses (Het Paradijske, De Duiveltjes, Sint-Jozef)

Highlight • Historical Site

Also known as Haverwerf:
Originally oats were disembarked and traded here. Oats used to be synonymous with grain, and Mechelen has exclusive staple rights to it: grain boats must stop in Mechelen and offer the entire load for sale for three days. Only what is not sold in Mechelen, the dealers are allowed to recharge and further transport.
Look at the three remarkable houses near the bridge. They date from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and are the main attraction of the Haverwerf. The corner house is called Het Paradijske. The reliefs above the windows depict the scenes 'Earthly Paradise' and 'The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil'.
In the middle is De Duiveltjes, one of the most beautiful wooden facades in our country. It used to be called De Verloren Zoon, because that story is depicted above the entrance door. Now it is named after the devils that act as columns. On the left is the house of Saint Joseph, with the relief of Saint Joseph with the child Jesus in the center. Walk along the water and enjoy!

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21.6 km

View of the Dijle and Fish Market

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Dijle flows in front of you, behind it lies the fish market. You can, of course, also get fresh fish there. But above all you will find authentic "old" pubs and hip restaurants here. Real Burgundians still feel at home at the Fish Market.

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