Leuven, Belgium

Grote Markt, Leuven
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leuven-Grote_Markt-2.jpg
Author: Snowdog
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Leuven (French: Louvain, German: Löwen) is a city in the Flemish region of Belgium. Covering 56.63 sq km, Leuven has a population of 91,000 (2011 estimate). It is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant. The city is about 30 km to the east of Brussels, and can be easily reached by train and road.

Leuven prides itself for being the home to Anheuser-Busch InBev, the largest beer company in the world. The Catholic University of Leuven is the oldest Catholic university that is still running. It is also the largest and oldest university in the Low Countries.

The history of Leuven goes back to AD 891, when the Frankish king Arnulf of Carinthia defeated the Vikings in the Battle of Leuven. At that time, however, the city was known as Loven. From the 11th to the 14th century, Leuven prospered due to its location as a trading center and textile manufacturing. The cloth produced in Leuven was so famous that it became known as lewyn, after the city itself. In 1425, the Catholic University of Leuven was founded. It grew to become the largest university in the Low Countries.

Leuven suffered in the hands of the Germans during World War One, with many of its public buildings destroyed. However the harsh measures proved to be a misstep and the Germans had to pay indemnities after the war for the outrage.

Pope's College in Leuven
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20091015_leuven_college_pape2.JPG
Author: Jeanhousen
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Visiting Leuven

You can take a train from Brussels Airport (BRU) of Leuven. The train journey takes just about 13 minutes. If you go by taxi, it will take you about 20 minutes to reach Leuven.

On the other hand, if you arrive at the Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), which receives mostly low cost carrier, your journey is longer. First you take a bus from the airport to Charleroi Railway Station, and from there the train to Leuven. The whole journey takes one hour 30 minutes and costs €11.40.

The Collegiale Sint-Pieterskerk (Collegiate Church of St Peter) in Leuven
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20091017_leuven_stpierre01.JPG
Author: Jeanhousen
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Places of Interest in Leuven

Fochplein
A narrow tringular square adjacent to Grote Markt. It contains shops selling all sorts of items.
Groot Begijnhof
This is one of the largest béguinages in Belgium. It was established in 1230.
Grote Markt
Open tringular space adjacent to the Oude Market, lined with beautiful medieval buildings such as the Stadhuis and St-Pieterskerk.
M van Museum Leuven
Museum exhibiting temporary art in this 17th-18th century mansion. Its different rooms are refurbished according to different period styles.
Oude Markt
Beautiful cobblestoned market square in the middle of Leuven surrounded by heritage buildings.
Stadhuis
Leuven's town hall built between 1439 and 1463, when the city was enjoying merchantile prosperity.
St-Pieterskerk (St. Peter's Church)
Located across the market square from Stadhuis is one of the main churches of Leuven. Inside is the Museum voor Religieuze Kunst (Museum of Religious Art), including three masterpieces by Dirk Bouts (1415-75).

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