Page 132 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

130  BEY OND BRUSSELS

9 Leuven

Within easy striking distance of Brussels, the historic Flemish
town of Leuven traces its origins to a fortified camp con­
structed here by Julius Caesar. In medieval times, the town
became an important centre of the cloth trade, but it was as
a seat of learning that it achieved international prominence.
In 1425, Pope Martin V and Count John of Brabant founded
Leuven’s university, and by the mid­1500s it was one of
Europe’s most prestigious academic institutions, the home
of such famous scholars as Erasmus and Mercator. Even today,
the university exercises a dominant influence over the town,
and its students give Leuven a vibrant atmosphere. The bars
and cafés flanking the Oude Markt, a large square in the
centre of town, are especially popular. Adjoining the square
is the medieval Grote Markt, and near the centre is the Stella Huge buttresses supporting the tower
Artois Brewery, part of the world’s largest brewery group. of St Pieterskerk
R St Pieterskerk and Museum
façade. A line of narrow win- Schatkamer van St Pieter
dows rise up over three floors Grote Markt. Tel (016) 29 5133.
beneath a steeply pitched roof Open 10am–4:30pm Mon, Tue, Thu–
adorned with dormer windows Sat; 11am–4:30pm Sun. Closed Wed,
and pencil-thin turrets. It is, 15 Aug, 25 & 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan. & to
however, in the fine quality of museum.
its stonework that the building Across the square from the
excels, with delicately carved Stadhuis rises St Pieterskerk,
tracery and detailed medieval a massive church built over a
figures beneath 300 niche period of 200 years from the
bases. There are grotesques of 1420s. Inside the church, the
every description as well as sweeping lines of the nave are
repre sen tations of folktales and intercepted by an impres sive
biblical stories, all carved in 1499 rood screen and a Baroque
exuberant late-Gothic style. wooden pulpit. The church also
Within the niche alcoves is a houses the Museum Schatkamer
Lively café society in the Oude Markt series of 19th-century statues van St Pieter (Treasury), which
depicting local dignitaries and has three paintings by Dirk
P Oude Markt politicians. Guided tours of Bouts (1415–75). Born in the
This handsome, cobble-stoned the interior are available, and Netherlands, Bouts spent most
square is flanked by a tasteful include three lavishly decorated of his working life in Leuven,
ensemble of high-gabled brick reception rooms. becoming its official artist.
buildings. Some of these date
from the 18th century; others E Stella Artois Brewery
are compara tively new. At Vuurkruisenlaan. Open Sat & Sun. &
ground level, these buildings 8 obligatory. A 90-minute tour with
house the largest concentration beer tasting in Dutch at 1pm and in
of bars and cafés in town, and as English at 3pm on Sat & Sun, with an
such attract the town’s univer- additional tour in English at 11am in
sity students in their droves. Jul & Aug.
With brewing being an important
P Stadhuis part of Leuven’s history since the
Grote Markt. Tel (016) 20 3020. 16th century, a visit to Belgium’s
Open daily. & 8 obligatory, beer capital would not be
3pm daily. complete with out a brewery tour.
Built between 1439 and 1463 The Stella Artois Brewery offers
from the profits of the cloth a variety of tours on weekends
trade, Leuven’s town hall, the from May to October. All tours
Stadhuis, was designed to take place in the brewing hall,
demonstrate the wealth of the covering local beer-making
city’s merchants. This distinctive, history and the secrets of the
tall building is renowned for its Stone carvings of medieval figures decorate brewing process, with the option
lavishly carved and decorated the Stadhuis façade to finish with a beer in the bar.

130-131_EW_Brussels.indd 130 10/01/17 11:04 am