The Mechelen Hof van Busleyden is a fine example of a typical city palace from the 15th and 16th centuries in the Low Countries. Over the years it has had various uses: from a stately private residence with lush gardens to a pawnshop for the poor. Several generations of owners have left their mark. Today the city palace houses the Museum Hof ​​van Busleyden, named after the very first resident of the house. The flourishing period of Mechelen as the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands is once again central.In 1496, Frans van Busleyden , the brother and mentor of Hiëronymus van Busleyden, bought a house in the Koestraat, today the Frederik de Merodestraat in Mechelen. At that time, the city was the bustling centre of the Burgundian empire. The presence of the Burgundian court ensured an influx of wealthy nobles and high officials, including Frans van Busleyden. He bought a house in the wealthy Sint-Jansparochie, a prosperous neighbourhood in the shadow of the Sint-Janskerk. In 1502, Frans died and his house came into the possession of his three brothers: Valerius, Gilles and Hiëronymus.