Cities
Belgium Mechelen Flanders Historical Landmark

Palace of Margaret of Austria

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.

Museum Hof van Busleyden Museum Hof van Busleyden Mechelen Kazerne Dossin – Memorial Kazerne Dossin – Memorial Mechelen Speelgoedmuseum Speelgoedmuseum Mechelen Het Kunstuur Mechelen Het Kunstuur Mechelen Mechelen Het Zotte Kunstkabinet Het Zotte Kunstkabinet Mechelen Technopolis Mechelen Technopolis Mechelen Mechelen Municipal Theater Mechelen Municipal Theater Mechelen Mechelen ARSENAL / LAZARUS ARSENAL / LAZARUS Mechelen St. Rumbold’s Cathedral St. Rumbold’s Cathedral Mechelen Church of Our Lady-Across-the-Dyle Church of Our Lady-Across-the-Dyle Mechelen Church of Our Lady of Hanswijk Church of Our Lady of Hanswijk Mechelen Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Mechelen Begijnhofkerk Begijnhofkerk Mechelen Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal Mechelen Church of St. Catherine Church of St. Catherine Mechelen Grote Markt Mechelen Grote Markt Mechelen Mechelen Dijlepad Dijlepad Mechelen Vismarkt Vismarkt Mechelen Brusselpoort Brusselpoort Mechelen Vrijbroekpark Vrijbroekpark Mechelen De Vlietenkelder De Vlietenkelder Mechelen Kruidtuin Kruidtuin Mechelen Aartsbisschoppelijk Paleis Aartsbisschoppelijk Paleis Mechelen Kasteel Hof ter Linden Kasteel Hof ter Linden Mechelen Kasteel de Borght Kasteel de Borght Mechelen Zoo Planckendael Zoo Planckendael Mechelen

User attributes