Dynamic and prosperous Leuven (Leuven) - the main city of the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant .This ancient capital - the house of the Dukes of Brabant since 1200 - in the Middle Ages was an important shopping center .Currently Leuven is a large university city, reviving during the school year (from the end of September to June) .University of Leuven, which annually trains about 30 thousand students, is considered the oldest Catholic university in the world (founded in 1425 g .), and the historical center of the city - one of the most beautiful in Belgium .
Leuven is the starting point for exploring the rest of the country: Brussels is located almost around the corner, and the Flemish coast is just an hour and a half away by train; nearby, and other cities - Antwerp, Brugge, Ghent, Liège, Mechelen and Hasselt.
Recently, more and more tourists visit Leuven, because for them almost "homely" conditions have been created here: lively nightlife, interesting historical monuments, the world famous university and two shopping streets that go to infinity.
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How to get here
The nearest airport is Brussels, where many international airlines, including budget carriers, operate from Europe, America, Africa and Asia. From the airport of Brussels to Leuven can be reached by a suburban train. Departure every half hour on weekdays and every hour on weekends (cost 3 EUR, travel time 13 min.)
Another airport in Brussels (Charleroi), which serves most of the budget carriers, is located an hour and a half from Leven. To get to Leuven by train from the airport, you will need a transfer in Brussels. Passengers arriving at Brussels-Charleroi airport can also purchase a single ticket for the bus and train. They will first need to get on the bus to the railway station. train station Charleroi, then take the train to Leuven.
Taxi stands are located at the airport, as well as in the Fochplein and Martelarenplein squares. Licensed taxis are indicated by yellow-blue or red-white symbols.
Search for airline tickets to Brussels (the nearest airport to Leuven)
By car
Leven can be reached via the E40 motorway leading from Brussels to Liège, or along the E314 highway connecting Leuven with the Dutch province of Limburg and the city of Maastricht, as well as the German Aachen.
By train
The railway station of Leuven is, perhaps, one of the busiest in Belgium. Regular trains from Brussels (4.3 EUR, 30 min), Mechelen (3.7 EUR, 15 min), Antwerp (6 EUR, 45 min), Dist (4.3 EUR, 30 min), Lira (5.7 EUR, 45 min) arrive at the station. and Liège (9 EUR, 50 min). The station is located to the east of the Grote Markt square.
By bus
The bus service is established with Brussels, Tinen, Aarschot, Mechelen, Dist and Wavre. Travelers should take into account that the railroad in most cases to get faster than buses. Exceptions are bus routes to Herentals, Turnhout and other cities of the Kempen region.
- How to get from Leuven to Antwerp
Hotels in Leuven
Most of the hotels in Leuven are located in the city center within walking distance of the main attractions, restaurants and bars.
Book popular Leuven hotels at the best prices
| B & B Lavan from 6 548 rubles Leuven Celestijnenlaan 62 | ||
| Martin's Klooster from 6 134 rubles Leuven Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat 18 | Begijnhof Congres Hotel from 5 514 rubles Leuven Groot Begijnhof 15 | Novotel Leuven Centrum from 5,169 rubles Leuven Vuurkruisenlaan 4 |
| Pentahotel Leuven from 5 927 rubles Leuven Alfons Smetsplein 7 | Hotel New Damshire from 4 687 rubles Leuven Schapenstraat 1 | Park Inn by Radisson Leuven from 4 411 rub. Leuven Martelarenlaan 36 |
| Hotel La Royale from 4 825 rub. Leuven Martelarenplein 6 | Hotel Malon from 4 067 rubles Leuven Martelarenplein 15 |
Transport
Recently, new tourist road signs and city maps were installed in Leuven, which greatly simplified the movement around the city. The locals are usually very friendly and open and will always help to find the way, and some even spend to the destination.
In the city there are many special areas for cyclists and most of the roads are accessible in both directions. It is worth making sure that the bike is firmly fixed to a stationary object, otherwise it can be stolen. Bicycles can be hired from Jeugdherberg De Blauwput on Martelarenlaan 11a (from 08:00 to 22:00) for 10 EUR per day.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Leven
Perhaps the most important attraction of Leuven is the Great Beguinage - a former settlement of members of the religious movement of beginoks, mostly women .Most of the noodles were found in the Netherlands and Flanders, and most of them remained in the territory of modern Belgium .The big Beguinage is located in the southern part of Leuven and represents a whole historic quarter containing dozens of streets .At present, the belgium, included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List, is used as a campus .
Levensky Town Hall
The visiting card of the city is the Levensky Town Hall, built in 1448-1469 biennium .in the style of the Brabant Late Gothic .The town hall consists of three tiers .On the first floor there are sculptures of artists, scientists and prominent citizens of the past who played a significant role in the life of the city .On the second floor - sculptures of the Counts and Dukes of Brabant .Since the 19th century, 3 renovations have been carried out in the Town Hall, the last of which ended in 1983 .At present, all three tiers of the Town Hall and the inner chambers with pictures of local masters and the works of the Belgian sculptor of the 19th century Konstantin Meunier are open to visit .For everyone, individual excursions are organized: from April to September - on weekdays at 11:00 and 15:00, on weekends and on public holidays at 15:00; from October to March - every day at 15:00 .The inner chambers, or the so-called "salons" of the Town Hall, are open to the public during weddings and official ceremonies .Excursions for groups - with advance booking .
Church of St. Peter
Continuing the theme of religious attractions, it is worth noting the Church of St. Peter, which is considered the oldest church of Leuven .The original building of the church, burned down in 1176, was built in 986 .After the fire, the destroyed building was replaced by a new Romanesque church, replaced by a gothic .The construction of the current Gothic building began in 1425 .In 1998, the altar and gallery of the church were turned into a museum with a collection of sculptures and other works of art, among which there are two pictures of the Flemish primitive artist Dirk Bouts: "The Last Supper" (1464-1468 biennium .) and "Martyrdom of St. Erasmus" (1465 g .) .Not far from the church chapel are the tombs of Duke Henry I of Brabant, his wife Matilda and their daughter Mary .Next is Gottfried II, Earl of Leven .One of the oldest values in the collection of the museum is the wooden head, the only part of the crucifix (12 in .), burnt in the First World War .
Botanical Garden
The oldest botanical garden in Belgium is compulsory. The history of the garden dates back to 1738, when the University of Leuven founded the first botanical garden for medical students. Later, there was a need for its expansion, and in 1819 a second botanical garden was opened on the lands of the destroyed Capuchin monastery. Almost 800 different plant species grow on the territory of the garden, which serves as an indispensable source of scientific information for medical students and physicians.
Walking in the city center with a visit to the Town Hall
From April 1 to October 31, on Saturdays and Sundays, anyone can join the guide and discover the historical center of Leuven. The excursions start at 15:00, departure from the tourist office of Leuven. Excursions are conducted in two languages: the main language is German, the second language is the guide's choice.
Summer walks in the city center
Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm and on Sunday at 10:30, together with the Royal Association of Leven's guides (KLGB), 2-hour walking tours are organized with a visit to the most beautiful places in the city.
The Leuven Tourist Office is located on Naamsestraat 1 and is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 except on public holidays. The cost of a 2-hour excursion is 50 euros; booking for 3 weeks. In the same office, one-day excursions can be ordered: Leuven is a city of museums, Leven is on a bicycle, Leven is the capital of Brabant, and others. Read more on the website of the office.
River walks through the Dale Canal
- "Leven - Mechelen". The cost is 15/11 EUR per adult / child. Departure at 09:30, arrival at 17:30.
- Leuven-Campenhout-Leuven. The cost is 10/8 EUR per adult / child. Departure at 09:30, arrival at 14:00.
- Leuven-Herent-Leuven. The cost is 6/5 EUR per adult / child. Departure at 10.00 / 15: 00, arrival at 12: 00/17: 00, respectively.
Information and booking on the website of Kanaaltochten Brabant.
Excursion to the brewery "Stella Artois"
During the tour of the plant, anyone can learn all about the secrets of beer making, following the process of brewing at the stages of fermentation, filtration and packaging. The cost of the tour is 6 EUR per person in a group of 15 people. Information and booking on the website of the brewery.
Prices are as of April 2012. Photo by Leven (2)