Transfer from Brussels Airport to Maasmechelen

transfers2airports.com offers the best rates for low cost airport taxi transfers between Maasmechelen and Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport.

Maasmechelen is a municipality along the river Meuse in the province of Limburg, Belgium. The settlements that belong to Maasmechelen are as follows: Mechelen-aan-de-Maas, Vucht, Leut, Meeswijk, Uikhoven, Eisden, Opgrimbie, Boorsem, and Kotem.

Transfers2airports.com offers the best rates for low cost airport taxi transfers between Maasmechelen and Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will wait for you at the meeting point (the meeting point is always specified in your airport transfer voucher). If you need a taxi or airport transfer from Maasmechelen to Brussels or Charleroi Airports, your driver will inform you about the exact pick up time at least 24 hours before the transfer.

Considering that Maasmechelen is located near the border and it has had a significant coalmining industry, the present-day population is somewhat mixed: it is of Dutch, German, Eastern European (e.g., Polish) or Mediterranean (among others Italian and Turkish) origin.

A few historic informations

Prehistoric and Roman times

The higher elevation and the proximity of fertile river clay made this area a very suitable one to become inhabited by the prehistoric tribes who established themselves here in the 2nd millennium BC and also for the Celtic peoples who appeared in the area approx. 1000 BC.

In times of the Roman Empire, this region was a strategic area being at the border between the Gallic and German tribes (they were the provinces of Gallia Belgica and Germania Inferior). Settlements were founded at the location where Maasmechelen lies today to service the Roman military camp guarded the bridge in Maastricht.

Middle Ages

In the 7th century the river progressively turned eastward. The Roman colonies that were originally located on the right bank of the river now found themselves on the left bank. The many streams and wetlands made the area more suitable for stockbreeding than agriculture. Tanks to the feudal system and the practice of paying civil servants with land the territory were divided into many subdivisions. Some parts of the territory were possessed by local lords, the sovereigns and the Church. Local religious communities also possessed parcels of the land. Churches and cloisters were built and enlarged to accommodate a growing population.

19th and 20th century

Due to the French Revolution, several dramatic (mainly negative) changes occured in the area, among others – the dismantlement of most religious organizations, the closing of churches, and the reorganization of the territory into new administrative districts. During the 19th century, the area still had a genuine rural character.

In 1901, commercial-grade coal were found in this area. This led to the exploitation of coal mines in Eisden from 1923 to 1987. A garden city and a new church dedicated to Saint Barbara, also known as the mining cathedral, were built there. The industrial development attracted workers from all over Europe, and that explains the existence of numerous international restaurants still found today in Eisden.

Attractions in the municipality

The largest part of the natural reservation Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen is found on Maasmechelen’s territory. It is to protect the unique biological diversity of the plateau of Campine.

The Eisdense cité, a garden city built in the 20th century as mentioned above. Its cottage-like houses in a park setting somehow still brings back the times of the city’s mining history. One of the houses has been converted into a museum.

Maasmechelen Village, an outlet shopping center was built near the old mining district.

A windmill  from 1801 was recently restored and is open to the public every other Sunday.

A small carnival museum: next to the city’s main square.

Cultural events

The carnival and parade, where masked people entertain numerous visitors, is organized every year on November 11, starting at 11:11 am.