Leuven is very proud of both its past and its heritage, and rightly so. There is so much to see and to do in and around Leuven that one visit is simply not enough.
Although the first references to the town can be traced back as far as the 9th century and in spite of its strategic location on the river Dyle, it was not until around the 11th-12th century that Leuven began to develop as an important trading centre within the Duchy of Brabant. It was at this time that its first town wall, churches, monasteries and abbeys were built.
The town's once flourishing cloth trade had fallen into decline by the 14th century, but a new golden age dawned with the 15th century.
|
|
|
|
|
The town still owes much of its character to the numerous university college buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, many of which were renovated in the 18th century. The Van Dale College is pure Renaissance style and the College of the Falcon, Pope's College and the Arras College are neo-classical style. Vlierbeek Abbey is a fine example of this trend.
The building of paved roads, the canal in the 18th century and the expansion of the brewery created a great impetus for trade and population growth. Unfortunately, this prosperity came to a sudden end under the reign of Joseph II when the French invaded.
The most significant development for Leuven in the 19th century was the building of the railway station and the construction of Bondgenotenlaan leading to it.
The two World Wars in the 20th century destroyed much of Leuven and a great deal of the reconstruction work lasted well into the nineteen-sixties.
Leuven has developed into a well-equipped, modern town with a thriving service industry economy and with a good balance of old and new buildings combining to offer a well-designed infrastructure to suit the demands of today's modern town with a rich tradition.
On January 1st January 1995, Leuven became the capital of the province Flemish Brabant.
The former province of Brabant was split into Flemish and Walloon Brabant and the metropolitan region of Brussels.
For more View our extensive document depecting the History, Events and Sites of Leuven. Leuven.doc (1.46MB)
|
|
|
