Mechlin

Mechlin is the historic English exonym for the Belgian city of Mechelen, located in the Flemish region on the Dijle river between Brussels and Antwerp. In Dutch the city is Mechelen and in French Malines. The spelling Mechlin appears in older English-language texts, but modern usage tends toward Mechelen.

Historically, Mechelen developed as a major trading and ecclesiastical center in the Southern Netherlands. It was known for its religious institutions, guilds, and textile crafts, with the city preserving a number of medieval and early modern monuments. Notable landmarks include St. Rumbold’s Cathedral and a historic town center that reflects its past as a significant urban and commercial hub.

Mechlin lace refers to a type of bobbin lace named after the city, produced from the 16th to 18th centuries and valued for ecclesiastical vestments and fine textiles. In English-language sources, the term Mechlin can denote either the lace or the city, depending on context.

In the present day, Mechelen remains an important urban center in Belgium. It is recognized for its well-preserved historic core, cultural institutions, and role as a regional hub for administration, industry, and logistics, situated conveniently between Brussels and Antwerp.