Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A stone bridge from 1772 was discovered in Mechelen during canal restoration. Linked to the city’s cultural history, officials aim to preserve it for public access and historical appreciation.
Authorities recently discovered a stone bridge in Mechelen’s Sint-Katelijestraat. Patrick Princen, who is in charge of Public Works, said the year 1772 is carved into the bridge’s arch. This makes the bridge special.
According to Patrick Princen, the year 1772 is important for Mechelen because it is also when the Mechelen Art Academy was founded. This academy is still a big part of the city’s culture and art today. The carving shows a link to an important time in the city’s history.
How will Mechelen preserve the newly discovered 1772 bridge?
City officials are now focused on preserving this piece of history. Mechelen is working with a consulting firm to find ways to keep the bridge visible to the public as part of the canal restoration project. Greet Geypen, who oversees Heritage, said it is important for everyone to access the bridge. The city is concerning about historic structure. They want residents and visitors to appreciate its history and design for many years to come.
He stated,
“This bridge is a real reminder of our city’s past. It would be wrong to let it disappear.”
City officials in Mechelen are looking for ways to protect the newly found stone bridge from 1772. They are working on the canal restoration project in Sint-Katelijestraat. One idea is to add a small staircase to change the ground level. This would keep the bridge’s old arch and the year 1772 visible. The bridge will be an important part of the new waterway.
Authorities emphasized that moving the bridge to a new location is not possible because it is weak and has historical value. The city wants to keep the bridge in its original spot to show its link to Mechelen’s history. The canal work in Sint-Katelijestraat should be finished by the end of March 2025. After that, the bridge will be an important part of the area. The city cares about harmonizing modern developments with historical preservation.
What steps is Mechelen taking to restore its historic canals?
For over 15 years, the city of Mechelen has been working to reopen its old canals. These canals were filled in during the 20th century to make way for new buildings. They used to be very important for trade and daily life in the city. Now, the city is trying to bring back these waterways to connect with its history.
Recently, while digging on the canal in Sint-Katelijestraat, workers found a surprising discovery: a complete stone bridge that had been buried for many years. In the past, some parts of bridges were found, but this one is different because the whole structure is still visible. This gives a rare look at Mechelen’s old architecture.
“The bridge is a tangible reminder of Mechelen’s past, it would be irresponsible to let it disappear”
Greet Geypen (Open VLD), Alderman for Heritage in Mechelen
According to local leaders, it is very important to keep this special piece of history. Greet Geypen, who is in charge of Heritage, said
“It would be wrong to let the bridge disappear because it connects to the city’s past.”
Patrick Princen, who handles Public Works, talked about how important this find is. He noted that while pieces of bridges have been found before, this one is whole, which makes it special.
The city is now looking for ways to include the bridge in its plans to fix the canals. They want to make sure it is protected and easy for people to see. They mentioned that this discovery shows how important Mechelen’s work to restore its canals is and helps strengthen the city’s identity as a place where history and new development can exist together.
