Leuven |
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lies in the south of a narrow strip of Flemish Brabant. It is its main city and former capital, the seat of the Dukes of Brabant. Located 25 kilometres east of Brussels, Leuven was once an important centre for the cloth trade. Today, it boasts one of the most beautiful town halls in Belgium, a charming beguinage, historic buildings, churches, and the oldest Catholic university in Belgium, home to 25,000 students who keep the city vibrant with life.
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The old town center can be easily explored on foot. It is marked by two adjacent squares. The wedge-shaped Grote Markt, where you can admire two magnificent late Gothic buildings, the Church of St. Peter and the Town Hall, and the Oude Markt right behind it, with its many restaurant gardens.
Town hall |
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The beautiful building standing at the Grote Markt gives the impression of being incredibly light. It consists of three floors, covered with pointed Gothic windows. Above it rises an attic gallery, and above it a steep roof equipped with four levels of dormers. At the corners of the roof are four octagonal turrets with slits allowing light to enter.
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Town hall
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Town hall
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Town hall
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Town hall
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The first stone for the construction of the town hall was laid in 1439. Initially, the work was carried out under the supervision of the architect Sulpitius van Vorst, who soon died. He was replaced by Jan Kaldermans. After his death in 1445, work was stopped. In 1448, construction resumed, this time under the direction of Matheus de Layes. The building was finally completed in 1469. The town hall was built in the Brabant, late Gothic style. All 236 statues were added in 1850. The figures represent 220 men and 16 women. Those on the first floor are important figures in the history of the city. The sculptures on the second floor are figures of patrons and symbolic figures. On the third floor there are sculptures of the counts and dukes of Leuven from different centuries.
The main façade has an entrance staircase leading to two portals, above which there are figures of St. Peter (left) and Madonna and Child (right). Even though the city suffered greatly during both wars, the town hall survived. The bomb that fell on him did not explode. Inside the town hall, noteworthy are the sculptures by Coustantin Meunier and Jef Lambeux. Here you will also find portraits of the mayors of Leuven from 1794.
The main façade has an entrance staircase leading to two portals, above which there are figures of St. Peter (left) and Madonna and Child (right). Even though the city suffered greatly during both wars, the town hall survived. The bomb that fell on him did not explode. Inside the town hall, noteworthy are the sculptures by Coustantin Meunier and Jef Lambeux. Here you will also find portraits of the mayors of Leuven from 1794.
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Address: Grote Markt 9, 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:00 p.m. |
Fare: 4 euros |
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Church of St. Peter (St. Pieterskerk) |
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This is the second magnificent building at Grote Markt, directly opposite the town hall. Construction of the church began in 1425. The temple, like the town hall built at the same time, was also built in the initial phase under the supervision of three architects, the work being carried out successively by Sulpitius van Vorst, Jan III Keldermans, and Matheus de Layens. In 1458, a fire destroyed two old Romanesque towers. In 1497 the church was completed.
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In 1505, Joost Matsys made ambitious new plans to build three central spires, rising to a height of 170 meters. This would make the church the tallest building in the world. However, due to too weak foundations, the idea was abandoned. Today, one can only admire the truncated towers rising above the entrance. A model of the original design of the church is located in the southern nave.
The church was built on a cross-shaped plan. It has an impressive length of 93 meters. In 1914, a fire caused the roof to collapse. The reconstructed roof was topped with a turret which, unlike the 18th-century dome, blends better stylistically with the rest of the church. In 1944, the northern part of the temple was completely destroyed by a bomb. In 1998, a clock mechanism was added in the form of a human figure striking the hours. It is located at the top of the south transept, above the main south gate. Despite the damage the church suffered during the world wars, its interior houses a rich collection of works of art. Noteworthy is the intricately carved rainbow with the image of Christ and the oak, baroque pulpit transferred here from Ninove Abbey. Its main theme is the fall from the horse of Norbert of Xanten.
One of the oldest objects is a 12th-century wooden head, the only remnant of a cross burned during World War I. In the middle of the chancel is the tomb of Henry I, Duke of Brabant, who died in 1235 (it is the oldest surviving funerary monument of a reigning monarch in the country), his wife Matilda (d. 1211) and daughter Marie (d. 1260). Godfrey II is also buried there church. In 1998, the presbytery and the infirmary were transformed into a museum treasury. It is here that we can admire the most magnificent works of art. These are two triptychs by Dirk Bouts (1415-1475), a Flemish primitivist (pupil of Rogier van der Weyden), the Last Supper (1464-1468) and the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus (1465). Bouts's magnificent paintings depict religious scenes populated by stiff, delicate figures who appear to be frozen in stillness. Bouts's works have been resold several times. Eventually they ended up in a German museum. After World War I, Germany was forced to return the triptych. During World War II, they were taken to one of the salt mines, where they safely survived the turmoil of war.
The Last Supper painted by Bouts, called painter of silence, it's an absolute masterpiece. He created them in the years 1464-1468. This is known for certain because the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament, which commissioned the painting, drew up a contract. Leuven forms the backdrop of the painting in which the scene takes place. Through the window you can see the Grote Markt and the construction of the town hall. The central image depicts Jesus and his Apostles. The side panels show scenes from the Old Testament.
The Last Supper painted by Bouts, called painter of silence, it's an absolute masterpiece. He created them in the years 1464-1468. This is known for certain because the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament, which commissioned the painting, drew up a contract. Leuven forms the backdrop of the painting in which the scene takes place. Through the window you can see the Grote Markt and the construction of the town hall. The central image depicts Jesus and his Apostles. The side panels show scenes from the Old Testament.
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Address: Grote Markt, 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10:00-16:30 Sunday: 11.00-16.30 Wednesday: closed |
Fare:
Church: free Treasury: 7 Euros |
Groot Begijnhof Van Leuven
The large beguinage in Leuven is one of the best preserved and fully restored beguinages. Built in the southern part of Leuven on an area of 4.2 hectares, it has approximately 300 apartments in 100 houses. Beguinage stretches along both sides of the Dijle River, which divides here into two channels, creating an island within the Beguinage. Three bridges lead to this part. Currently, the Beguinage is the property of the University of Leuven. It is used as a campus, especially for students and academic guests.
Beguinage was built in 1232. It was a kind of city within a city. It was inhabited by unmarried women who wanted to worship God. They had at their disposal about 100 houses, a church, and an infirmary. The first golden age of the Beguinage in Leuven was in the 13th century, then in the 17th century, when about 360 beguines lived in the Beguinage.
During the religious wars, iconoclast attacks and the French Revolution, the Beguinage experienced a crisis, like all religious institutions at that time. Private property was abolished, but beguines could still live in the beguinage. Civilian residents began to move into vacant buildings. The last beguine died in 1988.
Beguinage in Leuven forms a small walled town, with houses situated along a network of narrow streets and squares. Five of them were built in the 16th century, three houses still have wooden beams. The oldest house in the Beguinage is Chièvres, dating from 1561, with a characteristic gable roof with dormers. Most of the buildings date from 1630-1670. They were built of red brick. In the 19th century, several houses were demolished and new ones were built in their place.
During the religious wars, iconoclast attacks and the French Revolution, the Beguinage experienced a crisis, like all religious institutions at that time. Private property was abolished, but beguines could still live in the beguinage. Civilian residents began to move into vacant buildings. The last beguine died in 1988.
Beguinage in Leuven forms a small walled town, with houses situated along a network of narrow streets and squares. Five of them were built in the 16th century, three houses still have wooden beams. The oldest house in the Beguinage is Chièvres, dating from 1561, with a characteristic gable roof with dormers. Most of the buildings date from 1630-1670. They were built of red brick. In the 19th century, several houses were demolished and new ones were built in their place.
The church in the Beguinage is an early Gothic building with Romanesque elements. As is usual with churches for women's congregations, there is no tower. In its place, at the top of the roof, there is a bell tower (a small church tower).
Above the northern entrance to the church there are two Latin transcriptions indicating the dates: 1234 (founding of the Beguinage) and 1305 (building of the church).
In 1998, the Leuven Beguinage, together with 12 other beguinages in Flanders, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking through the charming streets of the Beguinage, you can feel the atmosphere of times gone by. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in peace and quiet is the quintessence of relaxation.
Above the northern entrance to the church there are two Latin transcriptions indicating the dates: 1234 (founding of the Beguinage) and 1305 (building of the church).
In 1998, the Leuven Beguinage, together with 12 other beguinages in Flanders, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking through the charming streets of the Beguinage, you can feel the atmosphere of times gone by. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in peace and quiet is the quintessence of relaxation.
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Address:
Schapenstraat, 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours:
open every day |
Fare:
Free admission |
Little Beguinage
Leuven also has a small beguinage, built in 1272, outside the old city walls, near the Abbey of St. Gertrude. The small beguinage has only one street with 30 houses. The last beguine who lived here died in 1855. The church belonging to the Beguinage was built in 1636 and demolished in 1862. In 1954, the dispensary gave way to the Stella Artois brewery. In 2000, the houses in the Beguinage were restored and sold to private individuals.
Address: Halfmaartstraat, 3000 Leuven / Free admission
Sint-Geertruikerk
Church of St. Gertrude built in the 13th-15th centuries. The church tower has an openwork spire considered one of the seven wonders of Leuven, also known as the tower without nails.
In 1796, during the French occupation, the abbey was closed. After World War II, the church was damaged and its unique stalls were destroyed. Fortunately, thanks to photographs taken by a German officer, sculptors recreated the stalls, restoring them to their former glory. These stalls are among the most beautiful works of art in Leuven.
Next to the Church of Saint Gertrude there is a small beguinage. The modern renovated houses are inhabited by private owners.
In 1796, during the French occupation, the abbey was closed. After World War II, the church was damaged and its unique stalls were destroyed. Fortunately, thanks to photographs taken by a German officer, sculptors recreated the stalls, restoring them to their former glory. These stalls are among the most beautiful works of art in Leuven.
Next to the Church of Saint Gertrude there is a small beguinage. The modern renovated houses are inhabited by private owners.
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Address:
Halfmaartstraat , 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours:
April 1-September 30 Tuesday-Sunday: 13:30-16:30 |
Fare:
Free admission |
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Chapel of St. Anthony |
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is visited by people from all over the world. In the crypt beneath the chapel is the grave of Father Damian, a great man who devoted his life to caring for lepers on the island of Molokai, 100 km from Hawaii. Father Damian was beatified in 1995. Then in 2009 he was canonized in Rome. Father Damian, brother of the lepers , rests in the crypt under the chapel of St. Anthony since 1936.
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Resting place Father Damian
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Address:
Pater Damiaanplein, 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours:
Monday-Sunday: 9:00-18:00 |
Fare:
Free admission |
Church of St. John the Baptist is located in the Beguinage. It was built in 1305, in the early Gothic style. The building also has Romanesque elements. The temple does not have a tower, on its top there is only a small bell tower (small church tower) typical of churches for women's congregations.
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Address:
Schapenstraat z/n 3000 Leuven |
Opening hours:
01/04-30/09 Tuesday-Sunday: 13:30-16:30 |
Fare:
Free admission |
Sint Michielskerk (Church of St. Michael) considered one of the main Jesuit churches in Belgium. The impressive façade in the Baroque style, characterized as altar outside the church. The church is considered one of the seven wonders of Leuven.
Address: Naamsestrat, 3000 Leuven
Address: Naamsestrat, 3000 Leuven
Sint-Kwintenskerk - church built in the Brabant Gothic style in 1450. In the 19th century, a new tower was built in place of the old one, which still stands today. In 1937, by royal decree, the church became a protected monument.
In 1970, the church underwent a thorough renovation. New stained glass windows by Michael Martens were also installed. Inside you can admire the last tower Jan Willems's drawing from 1521. In addition, a number of works by Caspar de Crayer and John-Joseph and Piotr-Joseph Verhaghen.
Address: Naamsestraat 160, 3000 Leuven
In 1970, the church underwent a thorough renovation. New stained glass windows by Michael Martens were also installed. Inside you can admire the last tower Jan Willems's drawing from 1521. In addition, a number of works by Caspar de Crayer and John-Joseph and Piotr-Joseph Verhaghen.
Address: Naamsestraat 160, 3000 Leuven
University library occupies the southern side of the large Monseigneur Ladeuzplein square. It was built in 1920, in the Flemish Renaissance style, mainly thanks to funds from American donors. The names of 300 American institutions that influenced the creation of the library are engraved inside and outside the building. Carillon on the tower The library has 63 bells and is the largest in the country. It is a gift from 16 American engineering societies. Leuven Library has approximately three million volumes.
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Address:
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Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 21, 3000 Leuven
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Oude Markt Student life is concentrated in this square. Well-kept buildings, full of cafes and bars (there are about 40 of them here) are filled with students and tourists. Concerts and other events take place here.
Stella Artois Brewery based in Leuven is the largest brewery in Belgium. Every Saturday and Sunday you can visit it, learn the secrets of brewing and taste the different types of beers produced here.