If you are going to travel to Brussels it is possible that one day you want to make a foray towards nearby places, such as the city of leuven of which today we will speak. This city is located at the confluence of the Dijle and Voer rivers, a few kilometers from Brussels.
This is one city that can be visited in one or two days, and that despite not being very well known offers all kinds of entertainment, from culture and gastronomy to history or monuments. We will discover how to get to the beautiful city of Leuven and especially the things that this place so close to Brussels can offer us.
How to get to Leuven
La city of Leuven is about 30 kilometers from Brussels and you can go from the train station, being one of the easiest and fastest ways. In Belgian Rail you can see the timetables and prices to go from Brussels. It is a short trip of about 25 minutes, so we will make the most of the day in the city without having to spend a long time from one place to another. That is why it is a good choice for a getaway from Brussels.
Leuven Town Hall
Although the town halls are usually a place of passage in the cities, with some interest but not too much, the truth is that the Leuven City Council does not leave anyone indifferent with its great beauty. It's a building created in flamboyant gothic style, with more than 200 statues on its facade. On the outside it leaves us impressed, but you can also visit its interior, with a ticket that does not cost too much. Its rooms are decorated with styles full of details. As an anecdote, comment that the building survived a fire in World War I and a bomb that grazed its facade but was never detonated in World War II. This building alone is worth visiting the city.
Museum Leuven
In this museum we enjoy a permanent collection in which you can see works by Flemish artists from the XNUMXth century. On the other hand, there are some traveling exhibitions and the views from the terrace are great. They're not as tall as the views from the university library tower, but they're still pretty, plus this museum has a lift for those who can't climb long flights of stairs.
Martyrs Square
This square is next to the train station, so it will probably be the first thing we visit when we get off the train. In it is the memorial for the victims of the First and Second World War. Nearby there is also a concert hall.
University Library
This is a well-known college town, and its library is one of the most important in Europe. The facade has a Flemish Renaissance style and in it you can see the peculiar monument of the beetle nailed to a huge 23-meter spire. The library can be seen from the inside, although it is very crowded at exam time. It's classic, beautiful, and has thousands of titles, even though it was destroyed in the First World War. If we can also climb its tower, we will have the best views of the city.
St. Peter's Church
This church is another must-see in the city and is located in front of the famous town hall. This is the oldest church in the city and dates from the XNUMXth century. Inside you can see some works, such as the sculpture of the Virgin with Child or the painting of 'The Last Supper' by Dirk Bouts. Although this church was to have the tallest tower of its time, the truth is that it ended up collapsing on several occasions, so it was finally at the height of the church.
Old market
In the Old Square or the Old Market we have a place where we can relax, since it has a great atmosphere. It's like a great outdoor bar. Formerly it was the place where the market stalls were located, but all this was replaced by bars and restaurants. A place where everyone goes to try the gastronomy of the city or simply relax in one of the many terraces in the square.
Botanical Garden
El The city's botanical garden is the oldest in Belgium and in it you can enjoy a small pond of hundreds of species of plants that have been brought from all over the world. This garden is another place that we can visit to relax, after the hustle and bustle of the Oude Markt.
Stella Artois
La famous beer has its factory in the city, making it a must-visit for those who love different flavors of beer. As in other factories, there is a guided tour of an hour and a half, but we must know that it is only open from May to October.