The Mechelen mural route: the painted city
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:44 am
You probably hadn't thought about it. In fact, you might not even have thought that there was a chance of finding something like this. But, since you've decided to travel to the city, are you going to skip the Mechelen mural route ? Yes, huge murals add colour to the walls of several buildings in the historic centre of one of the most beautiful cities in Flanders. The photos will surely convince you that, in addition to palaces, churches, beguinages and the essential Grote Markt, urban art should also be on your list of things to see in Mechelen .
Murals of Mechelen Smates Onderwaterhond Salto
We always say it, but it never hurts to remind whatsapp number data you: forget about signatures with loud letters, scribbles on walls and meaningless stains. We are talking about urban art with capital letters and a project in the city that pampers it: Mechelen Muurt , walls of Malinas .
Put on your sneakers and come and discover the murals of Mechelen with us.
Saltaconmyadvice
We're sure you're not going to travel to the Flemish city just for its street art, so check out our 11 things to see in Mechelen to complete your itinerary. And if history is your thing, read our articles on Burgundian Mechelen and the De Wit Royal Flemish Tapestry Manufactory . But first things first: tips for travelling to Belgium .
The Mechelen Muurt project
In 2014, Mechelen-based street artist Gijs Vanhee came up with the idea of decorating some of the city’s buildings with murals. He called the project Mechelen Muurt – Mechelen Walls – and contacted nine other artists to create the mural circuit. The project ran from 2014 to 2015 and was so successful that more street art displays have been appearing in the city ever since.
Mechelen Murals Gijs Vanhee Het zotte geweld
The best thing about Mechelen Muurt , apart from the murals themselves, is that they are located within walking distance of each other and right in the historic centre . You can see them all on a leisurely walk through the city in one morning or with a little more time if you alternate them with other visits.
All the murals and their artists
The nine artists that Gijs Vanhee called upon, and himself, created ten murals . We have to confess that, in our rush, we only saw four of the works, the ones that caught our attention the most from the photos we had seen. But, walking around the city, we also came across other examples of urban art in Mechelen beyond the Mechelen Muurt project or, at least, the initial project. We show you the ones we saw – inside and outside the project – and we explain which ones we missed, which we will of course visit as soon as we can return.
Mechelen Murals Gijs Vanhee Boekenuil
They are not ordered by geographical criteria, but by taste. That is, first those we liked the most… and we assure you that it has not been easy to classify them because they all have something special.
Underwater dog, Onderwaterhond
Our favourite Mechelen mural is undoubtedly Onderwaterhond , Underwater Dog , by Bart Smeets , or simply Smates . The title of the work could not be more descriptive. The artist, also born in Mechelen, painted a dog underwater. Said like that it may not sound like much, but the realism of the image almost made us hold our breath in solidarity with this dog diving off the wall of De Langhestraat.
Murals of Mechelen Smates Onderwaterhond Salto
We always say it, but it never hurts to remind whatsapp number data you: forget about signatures with loud letters, scribbles on walls and meaningless stains. We are talking about urban art with capital letters and a project in the city that pampers it: Mechelen Muurt , walls of Malinas .
Put on your sneakers and come and discover the murals of Mechelen with us.
Saltaconmyadvice
We're sure you're not going to travel to the Flemish city just for its street art, so check out our 11 things to see in Mechelen to complete your itinerary. And if history is your thing, read our articles on Burgundian Mechelen and the De Wit Royal Flemish Tapestry Manufactory . But first things first: tips for travelling to Belgium .
The Mechelen Muurt project
In 2014, Mechelen-based street artist Gijs Vanhee came up with the idea of decorating some of the city’s buildings with murals. He called the project Mechelen Muurt – Mechelen Walls – and contacted nine other artists to create the mural circuit. The project ran from 2014 to 2015 and was so successful that more street art displays have been appearing in the city ever since.
Mechelen Murals Gijs Vanhee Het zotte geweld
The best thing about Mechelen Muurt , apart from the murals themselves, is that they are located within walking distance of each other and right in the historic centre . You can see them all on a leisurely walk through the city in one morning or with a little more time if you alternate them with other visits.
All the murals and their artists
The nine artists that Gijs Vanhee called upon, and himself, created ten murals . We have to confess that, in our rush, we only saw four of the works, the ones that caught our attention the most from the photos we had seen. But, walking around the city, we also came across other examples of urban art in Mechelen beyond the Mechelen Muurt project or, at least, the initial project. We show you the ones we saw – inside and outside the project – and we explain which ones we missed, which we will of course visit as soon as we can return.
Mechelen Murals Gijs Vanhee Boekenuil
They are not ordered by geographical criteria, but by taste. That is, first those we liked the most… and we assure you that it has not been easy to classify them because they all have something special.
Underwater dog, Onderwaterhond
Our favourite Mechelen mural is undoubtedly Onderwaterhond , Underwater Dog , by Bart Smeets , or simply Smates . The title of the work could not be more descriptive. The artist, also born in Mechelen, painted a dog underwater. Said like that it may not sound like much, but the realism of the image almost made us hold our breath in solidarity with this dog diving off the wall of De Langhestraat.