Mechelen Sint-Romboutstoren

The Sint-Romboutstoren as a vantage point

The Sint-Romboutstoren in the heart of Mechelen is one of the few places in Belgium where you can, as a photographer, get genuinely high up. The tower stands 97 metres tall and is fully accessible via a guided climb. At the top you have an unobstructed view over the city, and on clear days that extends well beyond Mechelen. Antwerpen is visible to the north, and the Flemish plain stretches out in every direction.

What makes this photogenic

From the tower you photograph the Mechelen rooflines and the Grote Markt directly below you. A longer focal length, somewhere around 70 to 135mm, works well to compress the rooftops and make the city feel compact. But a slightly wider focal length, around 35mm, gives a pleasing overview when you want to include the horizon.

Light plays a big role here. The tower stands almost in isolation on the market square, so there is very little shadow cast by surrounding buildings. In diffuse overcast conditions the contrast flattens out too much. Choose a day with clear sky and some cloud structure. Morning light from the east catches the Grote Markt early. In the afternoon you get warmer light from the west falling across the rooftops.

Season and crowds

The tower draws a lot of visitors in summer. Access is via a guided tour, and the number of places per group is limited. That has an advantage: there are never dozens of people at the top at once. In spring or autumn, outside school holidays, it is quieter and the light conditions are sometimes better due to the lower sun angle.

Take your time at the top. The tour lasts an hour, but the photographic rewards come with patience: wait for a moment when the clouds part briefly or the sun finds a particular angle over the city.

Practical

The tower is located on the Grote Markt in the centre of Mechelen. The easiest place to park is one of the underground car parks in the city centre, such as parking Befferstraat or Onder-den-Toren, both within walking distance. Tickets for the climb can be purchased via the Toerisme Mechelen website or on site. Check the opening times in advance, as they vary by season. Bringing a tripod is not very practical given the limited space at the top.

Sources and further reading

• Toerisme Mechelen
• Onroerend Erfgoed – Sint-Romboutstoren
• Wikipedia – Sint-Romboutskathedraal