Houses Sint-Jozef - De Duiveltjes - Het Paradijs - Mechelen

Three houses on the corner of Kraanstraat and Haverwerf are reminiscent of this glorious time and have put Mechelen in the spotlight. You have published history books.

From the Kraanbrug you have a fantastic view of the 16th and 17th century houses Het Paradijske , De Duiveltjes and Sint-Jozef , the names of these restored town houses and also properties. In fact, these three houses are listed in the Michelin guide .

The Burgerhuis Sint-Jozef was probably built in 1669 , as can be read on a cartouche above. The house with a baroque facade was rebuilt in 1904. Also in this historic house we find relief panels with Saint Joseph and the baby Jesus and the phrase " This is Saint Joseph ".

Between Paradise and Sint-Jozef you will find " de Duiveltjes ", a house with perhaps one of the most beautiful wooden facades in Belgium . 1545 to 1550 or the 16th century is the era of this beautiful house with architectural-historical value. It is therefore one of the finest examples of Gothic timber construction with an early Renaissance leaning. The diablets act as pillars on the door. Before the house was given its final name " De Duiveltjes " it was called " De Prodigal Son " and can still be seen above the front door in the cutscene.

Het Paradijs dates from 1520 to 1525. The facade is late Gothic with elements from the early Renaissance. The relief panels show scenes from the "earth paradise" and "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil".

In 1301 , Jan II, Duke of Brabant, granted the city of Mechelen the privilege of holding an oat market . Back then, Mechelen had stacking rights , which meant grain ships had to pass through the city . Oats were unloaded onto grain ships at the Haver shipyard and then traded.

Willem Vandenameele