26/29.- Flanders, Mechelen

Mechelen or Malines is a small town between Leuven and Antwerp, and home to the Brussels-Malines archbishopric.  The high but squat tower of its Cathedral, Saint Rombouts, can be seen over a very large distance (even from Brussels, on a clear day) and has therefore become a landmark -- literally.  The monument in the foreground represents Opsinjoorke, a character in the local folklore  (not unlike the Spanish Pelele painted by Goya) who is tossed into the air on a blanket as a punishment for his rowdy life, heavy drinking and unfaithfulness to his wife.

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