Palace of Margaret of Austria

About

The Palace of Margaret of Austria, also known as the Court of Savoy, is one of Mechelen’s most distinguished Renaissance landmarks. Built in the early 16th century, it served as the residence of Margaret of Austria, regent of the Habsburg Netherlands, who transformed the original house into the first true Renaissance palace in the Low Countries. Its elegant façade still displays her coat of arms alongside those of Emperor Charles V, reflecting the political importance of the site. Behind the stately exterior lies a peaceful garden and an inner courtyard that once formed the heart of her refined courtly life. After her death, the palace became home to the Great Council, the highest court of law in the Southern Netherlands, a role it held for nearly two centuries. Today, the building continues to function as Mechelen’s courthouse, but its historic rooms and garden are gradually opening to the public, allowing visitors to experience a place where European power, culture, and architectural innovation once converged.

Mechelen Belgium

Location

The Palace of Margaret of Austria, known as Hof van Savoye, is located at Keizerstraat 20, 2800 Mechelen, in the heart of the historic city centre. This early Renaissance landmark stands just 300m from Grote Markt with its town hall and belfry, opposite the remnants of Margaret of York's palace and next to the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, while nearby are St. Rumbold’s Cathedral (500m northwest), Bruul shopping street, Vismarkt square, Dijlepad riverside paths, Museum Hof Van Busleyden, Korenmarkt cafés, and pedestrian routes to beguinages, De Vlietenkelder, and Kruidtuin—all within Mechelen’s compact old town.