Project Oud Leuven 1649

20/01/2026

900 years anniversary of Abdij van Vlierbeek !

18/01/2026

Many thanks to The Brussels Times and Dansby for the comprehensive introduction of Stad Leuven to the EU and international audience!

We are proud of our long illustrious history and being the knowledge and culture capital of the Duchy of Brabant. 👑

*Thank you for keeping the place names in Dutch as it preserves their history and cultural significance. 😉

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1922511/weekend-break-im-leuven-it

Copying in Visit Leuven VISIT Vlaams-Brabant International House Leuven Pangaea KU Leuven Leuven Leisure Leuvense Gidsen Lots of Leuven Ruben Geleyns Ruben Geleyns Dirk Vansina Irish College Leuven

Compact, cultured and effortlessly convivial, Leuven sits just east of Brussels but feels worlds apart.

17/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1bSmMA9rHF/

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

04/12/2025

29/11/2025

24/10/2025

🙏 Thanks to the efforts of Leuven's city council member Ruben Geleyns , the city of Leuven will now explore possible future scenarios for its tallest defence tower of its medieval outer city wall: the 'Verloren Kosttoren'!

🪖The Second City Wall of Leuven was built after 1357. Right after a vicious attack on the Duchy of Brabant by Count of Flanders Lodewijk II van Male, who attempted to take over Brabant after the death of Duke Jan III.

🗼The Verloren Kosttoren however was only built in 1463. Featured prominently in every landscape painting of Leuven, it was the highest point of Leuven. Its original name was just De Grote Toren (The Great Tower). Concretely it didn't serve its military purpose and was more a political statement. It then gained its name 'Verloren Kost' - lost cost.

💡I fully support Ruben Geleyns idea to build a metal structure reminiscent of the former medieval landmark! It gives an opportunity to do a light projection to simulate the old Verloren Kosttoren in the future! And provide a panoramic lookout point like in Saint Truiden. This will help inform tourists and the international community about Leuven's wonderful and rich history.

👉More info on VRT nieuws website:
https://vrtnws.be/p.OvnELa7jB

Link to info about the Verloren Kosttoren in the first comment.

In Leuven gaat de stad onderzoeken wat ze kan doen met de Verloren Kosttoren, een restant van de middeleeuwse stadsomwalling. Daar blijft nu alleen nog een ruïne van over. Op vraag van gemeenteraadslid Ruben Geleyns (CD&V) gaat de stad de omgeving beter onderhouden. Ze gaat ook bekijken hoe ze de o...

15/10/2025

Due to road works, a part of the Craenendonck has been uncovered, revealing a dammed arm of the River Dijle. This arm would continue through the harbour (today's Vismarkt open air carpark) before continuing through the Karel van Lotharingenstraat back into another arm of the river.

In the 14th century, this waterway was called the ‘Bedelaersweg‘ (Beggar’s Way), probably referring to the number of beggars gathered here. Under French occupation, this was called the ‘Rue Sans Pont‘, referring to the fact that there was no bridge to cross from one side of the river to the other. What was certain, was the Craenendonck was since the 12th century the beginning of the harbour of Vismarkt. It was only built on one side (odd numbers) while the other side was empty, apart from the back of the houses along today’s Mechelsestraat. The word ‘Craenendonck‘ means ‘crane/tap’ + ‘hill by the water’. However fitting it sounds, this was not the original typographical name of this spot, as the waterway/street was only renamed in 1826 after Marcel Craenendonck, founder of the College van Craenendonck (1574-1797) located along today’s Dirk Boutslaan.

More information about the Vismarkt (fish market) in the comments section.

Visit Leuven Stad Leuven Dirk Vansina Erfgoedcel Leuven Onroerend Erfgoed Leven in Leuven Lots of Leuven Goed nieuws uit Leuven

06/10/2025

📜✨ Leuven heeft een uniek geheugen… en dat zit veilig opgeborgen in het Stadsarchief! Op zaterdag 11 oktober is het Open Archiefdag.
👉 Kom de nieuwe expo ‘Kennis en Kwesties’ ontdekken, over het ontstaan van 600 jaar universiteit.
⭐️ Absolute blikvanger? De enige originele oorkonde van de oprichting van de Leuvense universiteit, die tot vandaag bewaard is gebleven!
👉 Alle info www.leuven.be/archiefdag

📸Lakenhal, Edward Van Even, Louvain Monumental, 1860

24/09/2025

Congratulations to Leuven for being selected as the European Cultural Capital of 2030! 🎉🎉🎉 Hopefully the vibrant history of Leuven will also be put in the spotlight.

🌟 Het is officieel: de jury koos Leuven & Beyond als Europese Culturele Hoofdstad 2030! 🎶🎭📚
We zijn - met LOV 2030- ongelooflijk trots op de hele regio, alle inwoners, verenigingen en partners. 💜 Op naar een onvergetelijk 2030!

👏 Welgemeende felicitaties aan Namen en Molenbeek met hun mooie projecten.

Lees meer via https://leuven.be/culturele-hoofdstad.

22/08/2025

Don't forget to visit the wonderful historic sites this coming 14 September on Open Monumentendag!