The tower of the Court of Hoogstraten / BimSem

For centuries, towers have been a symbol of standing and prestige. 500 years after its establishment, the house tower of the former Hof van Hoogstraten still impresses. Today you get a unique opportunity to climb this historical monument.\n\n The court life that regent Margareta van Oostenrijk brought to Mechelen in 1507 acted like a magnet on the elite of the time, who had residences built everywhere in the city. So did two of Margaret's confidants, Antoon I de Lalaing and Elisabeth van Culemborg, who built a grand city palace with a prominent house tower between 1512 and 1526.\nEven after the court moved to Brussels, the complex remained noble property. Until Archbishop de Méan founded the Klein Seminarie here in 1829. The old court was gradually demolished. Only the tower survived the demolition craze and a bombing during WWII. Before the necessary restoration starts, you get a unique opportunity to ascend the many steps of this monument.