Portal North. ISSUE 2 - Magazine - Page 17
LEUVEN, BELGIUM
This university city, 15 miles east of Brussels, is where
the Big Bang theory of the universe originated and
boasts one of the best-known Gothic town halls in the
world, sitting proudly in the Grote Markt square.
Author Victor Hugo recommended that statues of
people associated with the city be placed in the
building’s empty niches. As a result, the town hall
façade became a local hall of fame after 1850, some
400 years after it was built.
Across the cobbled courtyard, Dieric Bouts’
masterpieces The Martyrdom of St Erasmus and The
Last Supper are displayed in St Peter’s Church. Mixedreality headsets bring the artworks to life through 3D
holograms. Continue to M Leuven for more art at the
nearby museum.
For panoramic city views, visit the tower at the
university library, which overlooks Monseigneur
Ladeuzeplein. This public square is home to Totem,
an enormous, surreal statue of an upturned beetle
impaled on a needle. Created in 2004, the sculpture
celebrates science and technology at the acclaimed
KM Leuven university.
You can also arrange a guided tour of the Stella Artois
brewery. First created in Leuven in 1926, the original
pilsner served here is stronger than the exports.
Other sites to take in on your tour include the UNESCO
listed Great Beguinage, formerly a convent community
which now belongs to the university, and Park Abbey,
one of the best preserved abbey sites in Europe.
And don’t forget to sample the Belgian chocolate! Pop
into Bittersweet for delectable, artisan creations.
Step count: 9,000
Leuven is renowned for its brewing heritage and
you’ll 昀椀nd beer tours, adventure walks and festivals
celebrating the local brews. Nicknamed ‘the longest
bar in Europe’, the Oude Markt is an ideal spot to
sample Belgian beer.
Getting there: Take the train via London and change at
Brussels Midi or 昀氀y to Brussels Airport and go by train
to Leuven in just 15 minutes.
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Leuven
