Mechlin, Or Mechelen (Fr.Malines), a city of Belgium, in the province of Antwerp, on the Dyle, 13 m. N. by E. of Brussels; pop. in 1870, 30,090. It is one of the railway centres of Belgium, four lines radiating from the town, which however presents a deserted appearance, vividly contrasting with the bustle at the station, half a mile outside the gates. Mechlin is one of the most picturesque Flemish cities. In the Grande Place are the cathedral and a statue of Margaret of Austria by Geefs. The principal public edifices besides the cathedral are the churches of Notre Dame, St. Peter and St. Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, and an English church; the archiepisco-pal palace; the Beguinage, an asylum for aged widows; and the college. There are manufactories of woollens, linens, lace, beer, etc. The lace manufacture, formerly celebrated, has greatly fallen off both in quantity and quality. Mechlin is the seat of an archbishop, who is primate of Belgium. Its churches contain some fine paintings by Rubens and Vandyke.