The Melaan - Mechelen

The Melaan was one of the last streams visible in the city of Mechelen. Because it had become an open sewer , it was filled up in 1913.

Under the motto "Water revives the city", the city council decided in 2007 to rebuild this river and make it visible again.

Mechelen is actually a city of water , just like Bruges. In the future, when all the rivers in the city center become visible again, Mechelen will have even more waterways than Bruges or Ghent. By the way, did you know that you can still admire a piece of the authentic Melaan in the Groen Waterke ? the only visible stream. And that the Melaan flows back into the Dijle in the botanical garden . And that the Melaan has a branch "De Greppe" that runs under the cultural center, the old Minderbroederskloster in the IJzerenleen?

Our city's rivers were created by the silting up of the tributaries of the Dijle. The people of Mechelen soon built roads and houses along the rivers. Perhaps it is a fact that all the original rivers are still present in the city, but back then they were hidden because of the backfill.

Today you can hike again in the Melaan and enjoy the unique atmosphere along the Vliet water. On the promenade you can sit on the wide stone benches along the entire length of the Vliet, where a row of trees transforms it into an idyllic setting. On your water walk from Jef Denynplein, which has been named after the town of Jef Denyn's carillon since 1952, the dancing fountains will follow you on your way to Drabstraat and Persoonshoek, from where you can continue to Tichelrij Marina or the famous Fish Market . market

Willem Vandenameele