Leuven has been a university city since 1425. This makes it the oldest university city in theLow Countries.KU Leuven, the largest Dutch-speaking university in the world and the largest university in the Low Countries (and thus also Belgium's largest university), has its flagship campus in Leuven.[3]
"Loven ou Louvain" on theFerraris map (around 1775)
The earliest mention of Leuven (Loven) dates from 891, when a Viking army was defeated by theFrankish kingArnulf of Carinthia (see:Battle of Leuven). According to a legend, the city's red and white arms depict the blood-stained shores of the riverDyle after this battle, similarly to theflag of Austria and theflag of Latvia.
Situated beside this river, and near to the stronghold of theDukes of Brabant, Leuven became the most important centre of trade in theduchy between the 11th and 14th centuries. A token of its former importance as a centre of cloth manufacture is shown in that ordinary linen cloth was known, in late-14th-century and 15th-century texts, aslewyn (other spellings:Leuwyn,Levyne,Lewan(e),Lovanium,Louvain).[6]
By the turn of the 16th century, Leuven had become a major European center for art and knowledge with humanists likeErasmus andHieronymus van Busleyden working there. In 1517 the latter founded theCollegium Trilingue in which the three ancient languages:Latin,Greek andHebrew were taught. It promoted the critical study of classical literature and the Bible.Thomas More published hisUtopia atDirk Martens printing house in Leuven in 1516.Gemma Frisius laid the foundation for modern triangulation methods and cartography. He further made important contributions to mathematics, geography and astronomy.Gerardus Mercator andJohn Dee were among his students. Leuven became a leading centre for the fabrication of precision astronomical instruments, such as the planetaria and the terrestrial and celestial globes built byGaspard van der Heyden andGualterus Arsenius.Andreas Vesalius completed his medicine studies in Leuven, before moving to Padova and Basel. Religious persecutions of Protestants, followed by greater religious and political turmoil starting in the late 1560s, greatly affected intellectual life in Leuven. Many professors and alumni from Leuven moved abroad. The newly foundedUniversity of Leiden in Holland, amongst others, would profit greatly from this brain drain. Despite this the university continued to excel in disciplines like theology withJohannes Molanus and classical studies withJustus Lipsius.
In the 18th century, the brewery Den Horn (meaning "the horn") flourished. In 1708, Sebastien Artois became the master brewer at Den Horn, and gave his name to the brewery in 1717, now part ofAB InBev, whose flagship beer,Stella Artois, is brewed in Leuven and sold in many countries.
Leuven developed considerably during the 19th century. Dozens of squares were created, including the Sint-Jacobsplein, the Volksplaats (today'sLadeuzeplein) and the Statieplein (today's Martelarenplein).[8] From 1835, the streets of the city were lit with gas.[9] The Voer stream was vaulted, the channels occupying the middle of the streets were removed, a number of narrow streets were widened or simply destroyed and a considerable number of sewers were installed. The municipal theatre and the main post office were built, respectively in 1866 and between 1893 and 1895.[10] It was also at this time that the central prison was built.
Leuven has several times been besieged or occupied by foreign armies; these include theBattle of Leuven (891), theSiege of Leuven (1635) and theBattle of Leuven (1831). In the 20th century, both world wars inflicted major damage upon the city. Upon Germany's entry intoWorld War I, the town was heavily damaged by rampaging soldiers.[11] In all, about 300 civilians died.[12]The university library wasdestroyed on 25 August 1914, using petrol and incendiary pastilles.[13] Approximately 230,000 volumes were lost in the destruction, includingGothic andRenaissance manuscripts, a collection of 750 medieval manuscripts, and more than 1,000incunabula (books printed before 1501).[14][15] The German atrocities and the cultural destruction caused worldwide outrage.[16][17] The burning of the city was done as a reprisal, which at the time was legal under international law, as the Germans alleged that Belgian civilians had taken part in the fighting and killed German troops.[18][19] The old library building was rebuilt after the war, and much of the collection was replaced. A new, dedicated Central Library was built on the square now known asLadeuzeplein; it was officially opened on 4 July 1928.[20]
In World War II, after the start of theGerman offensive, Leuven formed part of theBritish Expeditionary Force's front line and was defended by units of the3rd Division and Belgian troops. From 14 to 16 May 1940, the GermanArmy Group B assaulted the city with heavy air and artillery support. The British withdrew their forces to theRiver Senne on the night of 16 May and the town was occupied the next day.[21] The new university library building was set on fire by shelling, on 16 May, and nearly a million books were lost.[22]
Given the presence of theKU Leuven, Europe's most innovative university according to Reuters,[25] much of the local economy is concentrated on spin-offs from academic research. In addition, the Leuven-based research centre,IMEC, is a research centre in the field of nano-electronics and digital technologies. As a result, dozens of companies in high technological fields such as biotech, robotics, additive manufacturing and IT, are located near these research institutes on the Arenberg Science Park andHaasrode Research-Park. Quite a few international companies such asSiemens,[26]Huawei,[27]Nitto Denko, JSR Corporation or Commscope have important, often research oriented branches, in Leuven. The academic hospitalUZ Leuven, first in Europe regarding the number of clinical tests per capita and approval rates for clinical trials,UZ Leuven is another advanced research institute. It is one of Europe's largest academic hospitals. As a result, large numbers of private service providers are active in the medical, financial and legal fields.
Because it is the capital of the province ofFlemish Brabant, many governmental institutions are located in Leuven, as well as the regional headquarters of transport corporations such asDe Lijn. As one of Flanders Art-Cities,[28] with a large range of cafés, restaurants, cultural institutions and shopping neighbourhoods, Leuven also attracts a growing number of tourists.
Leuven is the worldwide headquarters ofAnheuser-Busch InBev, the largest beer company in the world and is considered one of the largestfast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in the world. InBev'sStella Artois brewery and main offices dominate the entire north-eastern part of the town, between the railway station and thecanal toMechelen. Finally, Leuven is the ancestral home of theKBC Group. KBC is one of the leading financial groups in Europe. It is a multi-channel bank-insurance group, with a geographic focus on Belgium and Central Europe, catering mainly to retail clients, SMEs and local midcaps. As one of the largest companies in Belgium and it has its insurance and auto lease HQ in Leuven.
Leuven has a large international student population, mainly concentrated around the city centre. TheKatholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven; University of Leuven) has three campuses in the city, with a total of more than 50,000 students as of June 2024.[29] It is the oldest Catholic university still in existence in the world, and the largest university in Belgium. There are also a number ofhogescholen (universities of applied sciences), such as the UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL).
Within the city and its immediate surroundings, most distances can be covered on foot or with a bicycle. Several streets are off-limits to vehicle traffic and, within the city centre, road speed regulations prescribe 30 km/h (19 mph) as the maximum speed limit, making it a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city. There are also a few car parking lots.
There are numerous buses, primarily operated by the public transport companyDe Lijn, that connect the city with the region while providing travel options within the city centre. The so-called Ringbus follows thering road of the city. Buses 91 and 616 connect Leuven withBrussels Airport.
After the municipal election on 13 October 2024, the Vooruit party strengthens its position. The governing coalition of Leuven will continue working together which consists ofVooruit (23 out of 47 seats),Groen (5 seats) andCD&V (7 seats), with Vooruit providing the mayor withMohamed Ridouani. The opposition is composed ofN-VA (10 seats),PVDA (1 seat) andVlaams Belang (1 seat).[30]
One of Belgium's conservatories is based in Leuven: theLemmens Institute, which is described as "Faculty of Music, Performing Arts and Education". It is known for its music therapy education and its wordart-drama education. Kunstencentrum STUK is a cultural centre and venue in the city center for music, theatre,sound art, and dance. Leuven holds a summer rock festival,Marktrock. Leuven has some university orchestras, such as theUniversity Symphony Orchestra [nl] (USO),[31] theUniversity Symphonic Band [nl] (UHO).[32] and theArenberg Orchestra [nl].[33][34]
In September 2009, theM – Museum Leuven opened in Leuven. It is a museum for both contemporary and historical art, located near het Ladeuzeplein. It has hosted exhibitions by international artists such as Angus Fairhurst, Sol LeWitt, Roe Ethridge and Charles Burns as well as Belgian artists such as Ilse D'Hollander, Jan Vercruysse, Antoon Van Dyck and Freek Wambacq.
Leuven has a rich beer culture, being the birthplace of several beers such asStella Artois,[7] Leuvense Tripel,Domus[7] and Keizersberg. It has several bars priding themselves in offering a wide variety of local and international beers, including a bar that claims to offer more than 3000 different beers.
There is also a GAA club in Leuven, the club is named, 'the Earls of Leuven', after theFlight of the Earls. The Earls of Leuven has become one of the most well-known GAA clubs in Europe, and is an affiliated University sports club. The city of Leuven has become the home of Collegiate Gaelic Games activity in Europe due to its organisation of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Collegiate Games. This GAA club is part of a wider European league,Gaelic Games Europe, which is in itself part of the global organisation,The Gaelic Athletic Association
TheTown Hall, built between 1439 and 1463 bySulpitius van Vorst [nl],Jan II Keldermans, and following their death,Matheus de Layens, in aBrabantian late-Gothic style. In the 19th century, 236 statues were added to the exterior, each representing a prominent local scholar, artist or noble from the city's history. The reception hall dates from 1750.
TheChâteau of Arenberg was originally built in 16th century in theRenaissance style and was extensively renovated in theneo-Gothic style in the 19th century. The duke of Arenberg donated the domain to theKatholieke Universiteit Leuven in 1916. It is open to the public. It has a green park outside with gardens. Eggs of wild ducks can be seen around the park.
The Keizersberg ("Caesar's" or "Emperor's hill") was the site of theCastle of Leuven [ru] around which the city of Leuven grew up, and which local legend connected with Julius Caesar. The Leuven castle was demolished in 1782 by order of Emperor Joseph II. On the east side of the same hill a commandery of the Knights Templars was built in 1187, which when the order was abolished came to the Knights Hospitallers in 1312. This was secularised by the French in 1798, when the church and larger buildings were demolished.
The Linen Hall, in an early-Gothic style, withBaroque addition, is today theUniversity Hall.
The University Library on theLadeuzeplein was built by the American architectWhitney Warren. It was a gift from the American people to Leuven afterWorld War I, during which the Germans burned down the original library. The tower houses one of the largest carillons in the world.
TheOude Markt orOld Market square located in the centre of Leuven features a vibrant social scene, the centre of which displays a life-size statue of 'De Kotmadam', or "The Landlady" resting on a bench.
Ring walls of Leuven [nl]. Tworing walls were built around the Belgian city of Leuven during theMiddle Ages: aRomanesque one from thetwelfth century, and one from thefourteenth century. Leuven still has remains of the first city wall in six places, spread over a semicircle, from the north (Karel van Lotharingenstraat) to the south of the old city (Sint-Donatuspark) via the west (Handbooghof [nl],university hospitals,Jansenius and Justus Lipsius towers [nl], Redingenstraat). Little remains of the second, later city wall from the 14th century, with the exception of: the remains of theVerloren Kosttoren tower, the city authorities are considering options for its reconstruction,[35] the Water Gate (nl.Waterpoort De Grote Spui), not to be confused with the Water Gate of the 12th century wall (the towers of Jansenius and Justus Lipsius), two state-protected pedestrian areas on the sites of the city fortifications, on the streets:Edouard Remyvest andNaamsevest, two houses on the site of the Brussels Gate (nl.Brusselsepoort), the outline of the ring road (R23) around Leuven.[36]
Totem is a statue at the centre of the Ladeuzeplein; it is a work of the Belgian artistJan Fabre. Featuring a 23-metre (75 ft) high needle impaling a giant jewelled beetle, the statue towers over the square in front of the university library.
Fonske is a statue near the centre of town. Its full name isFons Sapientiae, Latin for "fountain of wisdom". The statue represents a university student who, while reading a book, lets wisdom flow into his head as liquid from a glass. Just likeManneken Pis in Brussels,Fonske is, from time to time, dressed in costumes appropriate for specific occasions.
Saint Anthony's Chapel, Pater Damiaanplein, from the 17th to the 20th centuries, contains the tomb ofFather Damien, the "leper priest" ofMolokai, who wascanonised byPope Benedict XVI on Sunday 11 October 2009.[38][39] TheCatholic Encyclopedia calls him "the Apostle of the Lepers",[40] and in some cases, he is known as the "leper priest". TheCatholic priest's remains were returned in Belgium in 1936, after having been originally buried on the Hawaiian Island ofMolokai where he had served the outcast lepers until his death.
Saint Michael's Church of was built in the typicalJesuit Baroque style.
Saint Quentin's Church incorporates remains of a Romanesque church built in the 13th century.
Keizersberg Abbey, an active neo-RomanesqueBenedictine abbey founded in 1888.[43] It is situated on the Keizersberg ("Emperor's Mount/Hill") which used to be the location of a 12th-century theCastle of Leuven [ru] until it was demolished in 1782.
Vlierbeek Abbey, a former Benedictine abbey founded in 1127.
The Al Fath mosque was built in 2016 and is used as a mosque where people can pray.[44]
Al Ihsaan is a government-funded mosque that was found in 1976 and that is still actively used as a place for people to pray. Al Ihsaan also offers Arabic lessons.[45]
There are several other smaller churches and chapels throughout the town.
Georges Lemaître, astronomer (1894–1966), notable for proposing theBig Bang theory for the origin of theuniverse, dubbed by him as "hypothesis of theprimeval atom" or the "Cosmic Egg".
^abcFodor's Travel Publications, Inc (January 2009).Fodor's Belgium. Fodor's Travel Publications. p. 27.ISBN978-1-4000-0881-0.Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved23 October 2015.
^abcMegargee, Geoffrey P.; Overmans, Rüdiger; Vogt, Wolfgang (2022).The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV. Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. pp. 287–288.ISBN978-0-253-06089-1.
^"Kraków – Miasta Bliźniacze" [Kraków – Twin Cities].Miejska Platforma Internetowa Magiczny Kraków (in Polish). Archived fromthe original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved10 August 2013.
Tuchman, Barbara (1962).The Guns of August. New York: Macmillan.
Van Even, Edward (1895).Louvain dans le passé et dans le présent (in French). Peeters (published 2001).ISBN2-87723-578-5.{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Williams, John P. (2018). "The Flames of Louvain: Total War and the Destruction of European High Culture in Belgium by German Occupying Forces in August 1914". In Christophe Declercq & Felicity Rash (ed.).The Great War in Belgium and the Netherlands: Beyond Flanders Fields. Palgrave Macmillan.
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