Special offer for participants
Welcome to Mechelen, a city where history, culture and charm are never far apart. During your stay, you will discover pitoreque streets, remarkable heritage, and inviting places to enjoy good food and drinks together. Margaret of Austria is Mechelen’s muse. As one of the strongest and most influential women of her time, she left a lasting mark on the city and continues to inspire. Discover her story and other culture and sightseeing through the tips below.
St Rumbold's Tower
There is no better way to discover the city than with your head in the clouds. St Rumbold’s Tower offers an all-in-one unique experience. The skywalk around this 97-metre tall tower and the climb up to it are simply amazing.
Check the visitor’s guide to take a ramble through the incredible history of St Rumbold’s Tower, with plenty of interesting facts and loads of fun activities for children. You may even run into the tower guard or the city carillonneur as you make your way up or down the stairs.
Practical: Climb the tower for free using the code HORATIO26 (online or at the counter). You can purchase your ticket in advance via: www.visitmechelen.be/tower. Valid from 26.05.2026 to 31.05.2026, subject to availability.
Beware! There is no elevator in the tower, only 538 steps spiraling upwards.
Address: Onder-den-toren 7
Boat trip
Embark for a fascinating boat trip on the Dyle, Mechelen’s lifeblood! You will learn all about the sights you pass on the riverbanks and you will be fed interesting snippets of information and anecdotes about Mechelen’s history as you go.
Practical: You’ll get €1 off your boat trip, paying €10. Mention your participation in the Horatio congress to the skipper. Valid from 26.05.2026 to 31.05.2026, subject to availability.
If walls could talk
What if you could eavesdrop on the Mechelen of 1473? Did people during the Burgundian era discuss global warming or the pop stars of their time too? During the listening walk ‘If walls could talk’, you enter the city with a wooden listening horn, on the way picking up conversations between dignitaries, labourers and even prisoners. The medieval architect Antoon I Keldermans designed some Mechelen monuments and takes you on an hour-long tour. There you can see the impact of Mechelen’s medieval trading position, of Flanders’ Burgundian period and of the Habsburg princes who settled in Mechelen at the time.
Practical: You can decide how much you pay using the pay-what-you-can principle. Thanks to your contribution, people in Mechelen who live in poverty can also enjoy leisure, culture and sport.
Address: Vleeshouwersstraat 7
Beware: Start your walk no later than 3 pm at Visit Mechelen in the Schepenhuis. Please return the horn no later than 16:45.
Museum Hof van Busleyden
Welcome to the home of Hiëronymus van Busleyden! In this city palace you will discover the rich times of the Burgundian era and its significance for the city and the world beyond. Along the way you will meet a variety of Mechelen’s residents: from your host, Hiëronymus van Busleyden, to the grande dame, Margaret of Austria, her cousin Charles V, and the reclusive Sisters Hospitalliers.
While we display the most beautiful artworks of the Northern Renaissance, we also run against the grain of history. Delve into themes such as nation-building, humanism, religion, globalisation, gender and power. Listen to the hushed voices of the 15th and 16th centuries: who don’t we see, or who is sidelined in the artworks? Who is missing from the inner circle? And what does that tell us about power and authority today?
At Museum Hof van Busleyden, discover the Burgundian period through the revamped permanent display based on absolute masterpieces. After your visit, relax in the completely redesigned museum gardens, inspired by lush Renaissance garden designs. Also brand new is the coffee bar in the historical corner building, where you can enjoy a break before or after your museum visit.
Practical: Entrance price for the museum is 15 euro.
Address: Frederik de Merodestraat 64
Art Hour
Visit Art hour
The Art Hour presents 32 masterpieces from the period 1887 – 1938 in the ancient and atmospherically-lit Chapel of the Holy Ghost, immediately opposite St Rumbold’s Tower. Each work of art is accompanied by a story told by a well-known or lesser-known Fleming and complemented by well-chosen music. This makes for an extraordinary experience, a magical hour of art like no other.
Practical: A visit will cost between 17 and 22 euro.
Address: Minderbroedersgang 1-3
More inspiration? Go to visitmechelen.be, or the tourist office at the Alderman’s House, Vleeshouwersstraat 6.