Things to do in Leuven
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Stadhuis
Leuven's main sight is the 15th-century Stadhuis. This flamboyant late-Gothic structure resembles an overblown wedding cake full of terraced turrets, delicate statues, fancy stonework and colourful flags. The 236 statues represent prominent locals throughout the ages - scholars, artists and nobility - but were added as an afterthought in the mid-19th century.
Incredibly, the stadhuis survived relatively unscathed during the wars (although a bomb, which failed to explode, scoured part of the façade). There's not all that much to see inside; most notable are the few sculptures by Constantin Meunier. More of Meunier's work is located in Minderbroedersvest, where he had a wor…
reviewed
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Treasury of St Peter's
The St Pieterskerk Treasury boasts two triptychs by Flemish Primitive artist Dirk Bouts (1415-75), who spent much of his life in Leuven. Bouts painted the triptychs between 1464-67, one of which, Het Laatste Avondmaal (The Last Supper), is considered to be one of the period's masterpieces. It mixes the Biblical theme with contemporary Gothic architecture.
Strictly controlled paintings with rich, broad landscapes and static, unmoving figures were Bouts' passion. The panels have a lively history: they were sold off several times and ended up in Germany; returned to Leuven after WWI as part of the war reparations package, they were carted off again during WWII and saw the wa…
reviewed
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Town Hall
This flamboyant late-Gothic structure resembles an overblown wedding cake full of terraced turrets, delicate statues, fancy stonework and colourful flags. The 236 statues represent prominent locals throughout the ages - scholars, artists and nobility - that were added as an afterthought in the mid-19th century.
Incredibly, the Stadhuis survived relatively unscathed during the wars (although a bomb, which failed to explode, scoured part of the façade). There's not all that much to see inside; most notable are the few sculptures by Constantin Meunier.
reviewed
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St Pieterskerk
One of the main edifices is St Pieterskerk, a late-Gothic structure. Construction started in 1425, the same year that the university was founded, but the church never reached full throttle as unstable subsoil forced the builders to abandon a 170m-high tower. Inside, highlights include an elaborately carved stone rood screen and an equally impressive wooden baroque pulpit. However, it's the church's treasury that most people come to see.
reviewed
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Chess Cafe
The table reserved for chess players at the back of this buzzing wok eatery provided the restaurant's name. It's located in an old grain silo in a semi-industrial and somewhat unloved part of town, about 1km from the Grote Markt. Wok à volonté - pick your ingredients from the self-service buffet bar and watch the team sizzle and spice your meal with beer-laced sauces.
reviewed
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Beguinage of Leuven
The cobblestoned 'Groot Begijnhof', a UNESCO World Heritage site, is secured behind large walls near the Dijle River to the south of the town centre. It was founded by the Beguines in 1232, though most of the houses date from the 17th century when around 300 Beguines still lived here. The restored, somewhat sober houses are now a university residential quarter.
reviewed
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Groot Begijnhof
The cobblestoned Groot Begijnhof, a Unesco World Heritage site, is secured behind large walls near the Dijle River to the south of the city centre. It was founded by the Beguines in 1232, though most of the houses date from the 17th century when around 300 Beguines still lived here. The restored, somewhat sober houses are now a university residential quarter.
reviewed
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Museum Van der Kelen-Mertens
The Museum Van der Kelen-Mertens holds, among other things, a vast collection of religious art from the 15th to 18th centuries. The museum is closed until 2009 due to major expansion and renovation. Until then a representative sample of its collection will tour temporary sites around town - ask the tourist office for the current location.
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Universiteitsbibliotheek
The imposing Universiteitsbibliotheek was rebuilt in Flemish Renaissance style after a fire raged through it during WWI. Rebuilt from the charity of 400 American universities, it again burnt down in WWII and was rebuilt yet again. The tower rising in the rear breaks the façade's symmetry and houses a carillon.
reviewed
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Greenway Foods
Bright green décor immediately tells you this place is vegetarian - bio (organic) burgers, soups, pasta dishes and noodles are the mainstays. It's smack on one of the city's main restaurant strips, and is also great for kids and babes.
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Rossi
Ten tables, no décor, sacks of onions waiting to be put away and garlic wafting from the kitchen. This little Italian eatery is hugely popular, great value and as authentic as they come. The gent who runs it is a gem.
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Domus
Old-fashioned ale house attached to a rambling brewery where several tasty beers are brewed - try the Nostra Domus (amber beer with 5.8% alcohol and a light, smoky taste) or ConDomus (5% alcohol and bitter flavour).
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Lukemieke
Casual, friendly vegetarian eatery that has been around for donkey's years and still draws locals to its out-of-the-way location. The garden terrace, with its trellised grapevines, is great in summer.
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Lakenhal
Behind the town hall is the 14th-century Lakenhal where cloth was traded centuries ago. It's now used as the official headquarters of the university.
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St Jan de Doperkerk
Visit the church, St Jan de Doperkerk in Groot Begijnhof, whose Gothic façade hides an elaborate baroque interior.
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De Blauwe Kater
Well-hidden little pub, in an alley off Naamsestraat. Has jazz and blues performances on most Monday nights.
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Gobelijn
Cartoon shop tucked away on a backstreet. It sports a solid line-up of Belgian and international cartoons.
reviewed
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Silo
High-tech club that rates highly among Belgian clubbers, down by a canal in a former industrial building.
reviewed
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Het Munthuis
One of the classiest acts on this intimate restaurant-lined street. Italian/Belgian cuisine is the go.
reviewed
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