Mechelen and carillon culture
Mechelen is the proud home of no less than 6 carillons! St Rumbold’s Tower alone is good for two of them. The residents of Mechelen are already used to the sounds of the carillon that resound through the streets up to 8 times an hour. In 2014, UNESCO recognised the Belgian carillon culture as an exemplary practice for intangible cultural heritage. Discover for yourself why Mechelen is the bell city par excellence in one of these places.
Royal Carillon School ‘Jef Denyn’
We are as proud of the carillon school in Mechelen as we are of our bells. It was the very first of its kind in the world. Carillonneur Jef Denyn founded the institution in 1922, with the support of international figures such as Herbert Hoover, John D. Rockefeller Jr. and William Gorham Rice. Even today, students from all over the world come to Mechelen to immerse themselves in the art of carillon playing.
The school used to be located in ’t Schipke, a charming corner house in Rococo style next to the Hof van Busleyden. In 2012 the school moved to the Norbertine Priory of Leliëndaal, at 52 Bruul. The UNESCO recognition in 2014 is a wonderful culmination of the pioneering role that Mechelen plays.
The ‘Adèle Colson’ carillon pavilion
In Saint Martin’s Garden you can admire the ‘Adèle Colson’ carillon pavilion, which was moved there in 2018. Inside is the impressive chamber carillon. This instrument with 50 bronze bells took no less than 4 years to complete. Adèle Colson, after whom the pavilion is named was the first woman in the world to graduate from the Mechelen Royal Carillon School in 1929.
St Rumbold’s Tower
St Rumbold’s Tower has two carillons of 49 bells each, together accounting for 98 bells.
The old carillon weighs 39 tons and was cast over 5 centuries by 12 bell casters. The oldest clocks date from 1480, 1498 and 1515. Thanks to technical improvements by Jef Denyn, this instrument became a global prototype.
In 1981, the tower was given a new city carillon of 40 tons, cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in the Netherlands. It is the heaviest carillon in Belgium and one of the heaviest in Europe. The sounds of both instruments resound through the city up to 8 times an hour, a musical rhythm that gives Mechelen its unique character. You can also climb St Rumbold’s Tower and admire the carillons up close.
Guided tour: Mechelen, capital of the carillon
During the carillon walk you will discover the many places in Mechelen with a link to bells, carillons and carillonneurs. Our experienced guide will tell you all about Jef Denyn, the carillons of St Rumbold’s Tower and all the other places in the city centre that are connected to this beautiful craftsmanship.
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