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.
Pay what you can
We want to make this listening walk accessible to everyone. That’s why we use the pay-what-you-can principle. You decide how much you can afford to pay. With your contribution, you ensure that people from Mechelen with financial challenges can also enjoy free time and culture.
Please bring the ear trumpet back to Visit Mechelen no later than 15 minutes before closing time.
On a quest with Margaret
Take your (grand)children back to the time when Princess Margaret of Austria lived in Mechelen. Adults can go for a walk with the ear trumpet while the children solve the tasks in this brochure.
During this fun quest you will learn more about her step-grandmother’s zoo, discover why she had the fish market moved and pay a visit to Klapgat. And at the end, you hand over the solutions in exchange for a nice surprise!
Download the walking route here
Or pick up a free printed copy at the Visit Mechelen office.
Contact
- Phone +32 15 29 76 54
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Address
Vleeshouwersstraat 6
2800 Mechelen
Belgium - Email visit@mechelen.be
Practical information
The walking route is available in print in Dutch, French, German, English and Spanish.
Age: recommended from 12 years old
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours – A shorter route is available for visitors who only have an hour to make the walk.
Languages: Dutch, French, English, German and Spanish
Accessibility
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Barriers and accessible toilets
For wheelchair users, the blind and visually impaired, we have indicated the thresholds, cobblestones, slopes, accessible toilets, reca and more on the route. In addition to the basic walk, we also provide an alternative route.
Using this information, you can judge for yourself whether to do the basic walk or the alternative route. On the map, the thresholds, narrow passages, cobblestones and more are only described in Dutch. In addition, the route can be read aloud via the voice function of your smartphone.
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Blind and partially sighted
Audio guide with tactile buttons
Those who prefer to have their hands free during the listening walk can borrow an audio guide and earphones at the Visit Mechelen desk instead of a listening horn. This audio guide includes tactile playback and volume buttons.
Discover thresholds, cobblestones and more
We have indicated the thresholds, cobblestones, slopes, and more on the route. In addition to the basic walk, we also provide an alternative route. The route can be read aloud via the voice function of your smartphone. On the map, the thresholds, narrow passages, cobblestones and more are only described in Dutch.
Get a brochure with tactile images
For visitors who want to feel the city, we have designed a brochure with tactile images of all the highlights during the walk. The sights are displayed in Braille and each has a name and number, both in written text and in Braille. This reusable brochure is available in Dutch and English.
You can borrow a copy at the Visit Mechelen desk. Please return your copy afterwards so that others can also use it.
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Deaf people and hard of hearing
Flemish Sign Language
We have made videos in Flemish Sign Language, in which a theatre group brings to life the entire listening walk. At each location, you can play the accompanying video, with or without subtitles. It’s best to start with the introductory video, so you get to know all the characters and frequently used terms. That will make it easier for you to follow and enjoy ‘If walls could talk’.
Visitors with mild mental impairment and people learning Dutch can use the same videos. In addition to sign language and subtitles, the entire listening walk has also been rewritten in clear language. This simplified version has been re-recorded by one voice actor and is included in these videos.
Only available in Dutch.
Just scan the QR code at the Visit Mechelen desk and watch the videos on your smartphone.
Hearing impaired visitors
For hearing impaired visitors with a hearing aid, all audio files from the listening walk can be linked via your smartphone.
Ask the Visit Mechelen desk for the QR code that takes you to the audio. You can then play the right story for each location.
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People with autism
People with autism need predictability and structure. On a day trip, all of this falls away, which can make this experience very stressful for them. For visitors with autism, a visual step-by-step plan is provided to prepare the visit. In it, they can see what to expect from the listening walk.
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Wheelchair users
For wheelchair users, the blind and visually impaired, we have indicated the thresholds, cobblestones, slopes, accessible toilets, cafés and more on the route (only described in Dutch). In addition to the basic walk, we also provide an alternative route.
Using this information you can judge for yourself whether to do the basic walk or the alternative route. If walls could talk has been fully screened by Inter, the Flemish expertise centre for accessibility.
Discover more
Sint-Romboutstoren Museum Hof van Busleyden On a quest with Margaret Take your (grand)children back to the time when Princess Margaret of Austria lived in Mechelen. During this fun quest you will learn more about her step-grandmother’s zoo, discover why she had the fish market moved and pay a visit to... Mmm... Mechelen
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