It is a part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, and lies about 13 km south of Heerlen.

The village was first mentioned in 1133 as "de Mechluns", and means "mighty place".

[3] Mechelen developed around a large farm which was donated to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta by Henry III, Duke of Limburg.

Until 1795, it was a heerlijkheid except for the commandery and a small part of the village which formed an independent enclave.

The complex has experienced several fires, and the oldest building dates from 1754.