Zoutleeuw
A small town situated between Tienen and Sint-Truiden. Until the 16th century the name Leeuw was used. The meaning of the later added word Zout, meaning salt, is not entirely certain. One theory is that this is related to a salt tax that may have been collected in the city. Another explanation is that it comes from the word solde, meaning soldier, in reference to the garrison stationed in Zoutleeuw in the 16th century.
In 1106 Zoutleeuw received city rights. Two centuries later, in 1307, it was recognized as one of the seven Free Cities of the Duchy of Brabant. Over the centuries, the city was occupied by Spanish and French troops, and was also subject to religious wars and numerous plagues. The small town of Zoutleeuw has an architectural heritage that testifies to its importance in the past, when it was a major trading center and the town had a flourishing cloth industry. The glory days of this area lasted until the 15th century.
St. Leonard's Church
This magnificent church, the pride of Zoutleeuw, is an extraordinary example of Brabant Gothic. It was built in the years 1231-1551. In 1566, during the French Revolution, the city gates remained closed to iconoclasts, so the church still contains many Gothic statues. Among the extraordinary treasures of sacred art found in the church, the monumental Sacrament Tower, built in 1552, deserves special mention. It rises to a height of 18 meters and has nearly 200 statues depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Marianum, a double statue of Mary, created in 1533, became an element of the Marian cult, presenting the Mother of God as an apocalyptic woman. The copper Easter candlestick was created in 1483. It is 5.68 m tall and weighs approximately 950 kg. This is the second largest Easter candlestick in Europe. The oldest sculpture in the church is the Romanesque one, depicting Christ as the victor. It was created in 1060 and probably hung in the first parish church. The tower of St. Leonard's Church houses the oldest mass-cast carillon bells. The church's bell tower is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Marianum, a double statue of Mary, created in 1533, became an element of the Marian cult, presenting the Mother of God as an apocalyptic woman. The copper Easter candlestick was created in 1483. It is 5.68 m tall and weighs approximately 950 kg. This is the second largest Easter candlestick in Europe. The oldest sculpture in the church is the Romanesque one, depicting Christ as the victor. It was created in 1060 and probably hung in the first parish church. The tower of St. Leonard's Church houses the oldest mass-cast carillon bells. The church's bell tower is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
City Hall and Cloth Hall
The building was built in the years 1530-1538, according to the design of the outstanding architect Rombout II Keldermans. This is a rare monument in the transitional style. It has a Gothic structure, while the decorative elements refer to the Renaissance. Inside, there was the mayor's office, the council chamber and a reception hall, where the wall painting by Maurice Langaskens from 1914 is particularly noteworthy. At the foot of the town hall tower, the remains of the first defensive wall from the 12th century have been preserved. The Cloth Hall adjacent to the Town Hall dates back to 1317. The building consists of elevated cellars that housed the stalls of clothiers, butchers and bakers. It was also the seat of the archers' guild, which in the Middle Ages had a purely military function.
There are also two interesting buildings near the market square. The first De Rode Leeuw is a reconstruction of an impressive patrician residence. Part of the tower and the wall of the first Sint-Truidense gate (1130) were incorporated into the side wall of the building. It is believed that in the past the house served as a distillery.
Another interesting building is a tenement house in the Brabant Renaissance style, built in 1571. This richly decorated building was inhabited by a member of the Chamber of Rhetors.
Another interesting building is a tenement house in the Brabant Renaissance style, built in 1571. This richly decorated building was inhabited by a member of the Chamber of Rhetors.
Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the river that now flows through the centre of Zoutleeuw was one of the great trade routes of the Duchy of Brabant. The expansion of the city's port contributed significantly to the development of the entire region. In the 14th century, about 400 ships docked here every year. The Chapel of Our Lady Star of the Sea (Sterre der Zee), a gift from the skippers, is a reminder of the city's rich port history.
There is also an impressive building by the canal, which once belonged to the congregation of the Sisters of Charity (Grauwzusters). At the beginning of the 18th century, a new hospital was built here with a church dedicated to St. Elizabeth. The building acquired its classicist shape during renovation in 1840-1846. The complex also housed a brewery, where brewing beer was only permitted for personal use.
There is also an impressive building by the canal, which once belonged to the congregation of the Sisters of Charity (Grauwzusters). At the beginning of the 18th century, a new hospital was built here with a church dedicated to St. Elizabeth. The building acquired its classicist shape during renovation in 1840-1846. The complex also housed a brewery, where brewing beer was only permitted for personal use.
Het Vinne Nature Reserve
A half-hour walk from the main square will take us to the wonderful Het Vinne nature reserve. On an area of 100 hectares, the largest natural inland lake in Flanders was created. The publicly accessible reserve has become an important migration and wintering area for waterfowl. Roe deer, pheasants, rabbits and many other species of forest and aquatic flora also find shelter here. The reserve has five marked nature trails with observation towers.
