Leuven, the Flemish Athens, celebrates six centuries of university with art and memory

The University of Leuven celebrates its 600th anniversary this year. To celebrate, it has organized a series of activities, including the project: And So, Change Comes in Waves , which brings together artists and scientists to reflect on a series of present and future challenges. The project's appeal lies in the unusual interaction between artists from different disciplines, poets, and scientists from all of the city's faculties. The result is a series of works of art that will become part of the city's outstanding artistic heritage.

Discovering this new urban art catalog is well worth a visit to this Flemish urban gem, featuring a medieval framework and unique architectural remains such as the Town Hall, St. Peter's Church, and the Park Abbey.

The University of Leuven celebrates its 600th anniversary with the project: 'And So, Change Comes in Waves'

We reveal the countless wonders of one of the most convenient cities to visit alone, with family, or with friends—the old town can be explored from north to south in just an hour—with affordable prices (its university background is noticeable) and very easy to get to—the train ride from Brussels takes just 13 minutes.

The world capital of art and science

Founded in 1425, the University of Leuven is not only the oldest university in the Netherlands, but also in all of Europe. It has 65,000 students and more than 22,000 staff. It comprises 15 faculties spread across 10 distinct cities in the region. More than 8,000 scientists participate in its programs, and it is a co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).

This year will be the perfect time for a grand celebration. And So, Change Comes in Waves serves as the main event, a project that has featured leading international artists such as Berlinde De Bruyckere, whose works have been exhibited around the world and a permanent presence at fairs such as Art Basel and Arco. Also participating are the Polish-born, Berlin-based Alicja Kwade, the Congolese Sammy Baloji, and Gis Van Vaerenbergh, the Belgian architect-artist duo Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh.

In total, there are 16 works, all created jointly by artists and poets, with the assistance of scientists. To view them, you can follow a route that also serves to explore the city of Leuven from a less obvious perspective, through various campuses—until now restricted to students—and other alternative locations of Leuven's cultural heritage. The installations can be found in well-known locations such as the Grand Béguinage and the Pope's College, but the route also leads to less frequently mentioned places in guidebooks, such as the Van Dale College and the Chapel of St. Lambert in Heverlee. The curator, Hedi Ballet, told us that such a fruitful collaboration between public art and science is truly unprecedented.

The walkway stretches for five and a half kilometers and is freely accessible and suitable for cycling, of course. Among the works, we highlight The Wandering Garden, a creation by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh. Based on a labyrinthine composition of curved steel mesh, a series of climbing plants have been planted that will gradually cover the structure. Over time, a forest will emerge, extending vertically, growing and flourishing with the seasons.

Throughout the year, the celebration will be complemented by two exhibitions, held between October 10 and February 22, 2026, at the University Library and the Museum M Leuven, respectively. While the first will focus on the history of the University of Leuven, the one at M Leuven will focus more on objects from the university's long-standing legacy, including pieces from the Museum of Zoology and the ethnographic collections.

In addition, visitors can also access some of the university's architectural heritage gems with guided tours—also in Spanish—on weekends to: Arenberg Castle, the 2Bergen campus library, the Grand Beguinage, the Zoology Museum, among other venues. Finally, the Vesalius Museum will organize activities throughout December in its two historic buildings: the Pathological Institute and the Anatomical Theatre, a little-known 18th-century auditorium where medical students attended public dissections, at a time when the study of the human body was almost a scientific spectacle.

The pearl of flamboyant Gothic

But Leuven offers a unique cultural heritage that will fascinate you from the start. The city is known above all for its Gothic Town Hall, famous for its sculpted biblical scenes, but especially for its Hall of Fame, featuring 235 statues of historical figures that adorn the entire exterior of the building. Directly opposite, across the main square, is the imposing Church of St. Peter; a magnificent example of Flemish Gothic architecture. Its style is elegant and vertical, with ribbed vaults, slender columns, and large windows. Its sober exterior stands out in contrast to its bright and vertical interior.

As you stroll through the ambulatory, you can admire works by prominent Flemish masters, such as the first copy of the Descent from Christ altarpiece, attributed to the workshop of Roger Van der Weyden (the original is in El Prado). The church also houses important polychrome sculptures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, such as Christ on Calvary ( 1464-15th century) in the presbytery area, and The Pietà (late 15th or early 16th century), which draws attention for its great expressiveness. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the Last Supper altarpiece (1464-1468) in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, designed by the early master Dirck Bouts. This work was revolutionary in its time for depicting a biblical scene in an everyday bourgeois context in 15th-century Flanders.

The church suffered extensive damage during World War I. It was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another of the city's iconic buildings is the University Central Library, located just 600 meters away on the monumental Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein, where you'll find a charming market every Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the climb up the tower, along a total of 289 steps, you can stop at each floor, where a series of information panels about the building's history are displayed, highlighting the most notable events, such as the almost total destruction during World War I (August 1914), in which 300,000 books were burned.

The United States was heavily involved in the reconstruction and replenishment of manuscripts. The decision was made to use a Flemish Neo-Renaissance style with Neo-Baroque and Neoclassical influences. However, during World War II (May 1940), disaster struck again. This time, no fewer than 900,000 copies were lost. After the effort of climbing the tower, you'll have a gratifying gift: unique panoramic views of the entire city. If you come during the academic year, pay attention to the tower's carrion.

In the historic center itself is the Gran Beguinage, a small, well-preserved walled village. It's a tangle of cobbled streets, courtyard gardens, convents, and red brick houses. It was built in the 13th century and consists of around 30 traditional houses. It once belonged to a community of blessed women—at its peak, there were 360 ​​women—from different social backgrounds.

The Abbey of the Park is another unique complex. This fantastic abbey is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Belgium. Our guide, Stefan Van Lanin, head of the monastery archive, explained that history has been very fortunate for them, as anti-religious groups did not pass through here during the French Revolution, or other armed conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars, or World War II.

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The main buildings, which serve as monks' quarters and are still in use today, as well as the portals, the church, the watermill, the granary, and the walled garden have remained virtually unchanged since they were built in the 12th century. A visit is a must. You can walk here from the city center for a lovely 35-minute stroll, or take half the time by bike. If you visit in spring, you can enjoy the Voices of Passion festival, featuring 15th-century polyphonic music. As a counterpoint to so much ancient architecture, we suggest a visit to the modern M Leuven.

This museum houses a fascinating collection of contemporary Flemish art, as well as countless works by old masters. Its main attraction lies in the fact that both styles are presented in a blended way in the different rooms, following a thematic or iconographic discourse. If you come in the summer and coincide with the M-Idzomer music festival (from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 28–31), you can attend concerts, performances, and small exhibitions while sipping a cold beer. Be careful, because this year's confirmed acts include Tindersticks and Buffalo Tom, two classics of 90s alternative music.

Leaving class

Just like university students, travelers also need time to relax. Leuven, like the rest of Flanders, offers a vast selection of breweries. If you want to enjoy this sparkling elixir in the city, there are countless establishments that could even write a thesis on the subject. But if you want to be seen, you have to head to Oude Markt, a unique square in Europe where you'll find a large number of bars arranged along the perimeter of the square. Since its terraces flank one another, it is said to be the longest in the entire continent. You can easily try a different local beer at each bar. Do you dare?

If you're interested, you can also head to Malz, just a five-minute walk along Brusselsstraat. Choose from among the dozen taps—always rotating—and over 300 types of bottled beer. With so much on offer, you're bound to have doubts; so let Glenn Hendrickx, beer sommelier, or any of the waiters who will eagerly serve you every day of the week from 4 p.m. advise you. But it's best to wash those beers down with some food. We recommend the Zarza restaurant at 92 Bondgenoteniaan (the turbot with green asparagus and soy sauce is amazing); or De Hoorn (79 Sluisstraat), which is located in the epicenter of the revitalized Vaartkom, or, in other words, the city's most modern neighborhood.

This area, which is being completely renovated as a counterpoint to the old city, is well worth a visit. The restaurant is reminiscent of Barcelona's La Moritz, with its multi-space concept located in a former brewery. In this case, the brewery belongs to Stella Artois, opened in the early 18th century and currently one of the world's largest exporters. De Abdijmolen is located in the middle of the Leuven countryside, just a few meters from the Abbey of the Park. This brasserie was built in a historic water mill, a short distance from the ponds, providing a cool atmosphere and idyllic views. But don't expect an old-fashioned aesthetic. The interior design is modern with classic touches, as is the menu, which combines classic and contemporary cuisine, complemented by seasonal culinary specialties.