Mechelen Carmelite Garden

The Karmelietentuin is a public neighborhood park in the very densely built-up district of Heihoek in Mechelen.

In 2000 the Friars Minor sold their convent on Karmelietenstraat to the developer of the IBO project. However, the garden passed into the hands of the city of Mechelen with a promise to open it to the public.

Work began in September 2007, killing some trees but preserving the Mariengrotte . A second gate was added on the Kroonstraat, with a footpath leading to the Poelstraat. Blue light panels were installed on the walls and a walkway was created along the entire perimeter wall .

And to be clear, the name Karmelietentuin does not refer to the old monastery where the current Patershof is located, because it belonged to the Friars Minor . There was a Carmelite monastery here until the late 18th century, which also gave the street its name.

Willem Vandenameele