Oude Markt & Grote Markt (Old Square & Grand Square)

High-gabled brick buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century, surround this impressive cobble-stoned square. This area has the largest concentration of bars and cafes and is particularly popular with the city’s university students. Adjoining the square is the triangular shaped area known as the Grote Markt, home of the Stadhuis (City Hall) and St Pieterskerk (St Peter’s Church).

Stadhuis

Built in the 15th century from the profits of the city’s once thriving cloth trade, the City Hall is well-known for its highly decorative, carved façade depicting folk tales and biblical stories. The niches in-between its windows contain 236 19th century statues representing artists, scholars, local dignitaries and patron saints of the parishes. Visitors can be taken on guided tours of the interior including the three highly decorated reception rooms, although the exterior tends to be more impressive.

St Pieterskerk & Museum voor Religieuze Kunst

The oldest church in Leuven, the current Gothic building was built in the 15th century, on the site of the old church, although it took many years to complete properly due to lack of funds and the fact that the foundations were not stable enough to support the tall towers. As a result of having to shorten the towers, the church now has a slightly truncated look about it. Housed in the church is the Museum of Religious Art which contains three paintings by Dieric Bouts (1415-75) who was the town’s official artist; of particular interest is his painting of The Last Supper showing Christ and his disciples in a Flemish dining room with the half-built Stadhuis just visible through one of the windows. Also contained within the Museum is the shrine of St Margaret of Leuven, otherwise known as Proud Margaret, the patron saint of serving girls whose story is illustrated in a series of paintings.

M Museum

The Museum is housed within the old home of the Vander Kelen-Mertens family, whose rooms are furnished in a variety of historical styles. On display on the first floor is a collection of 16th and 17th century embroidered vestments, stained glass, ceramics, Oriental porcelain and medieval sculptures as well as some modern pieces. On the upper floor are art works by the early Flemish masters including the work of Quentin Metsys who was born in Leuven in the 15th century and was responsible for introducing Italian style to north European art.

St Michielskerk

Built for the Jesuits in the middle of the 17th century, this pretty church is an excellent example of Baroque architecture. Particularly worth seeing is the 1660 carved woodwork around the altar and choir.

Groot Begijnhof

Established in the early 13th century, the Groot Begijnhof was once one of the largest béguinages in Belgium and was home to several hundred Béguines (women who dedicated their lives to God without taking vows, who set up enclosed communities to meet their spiritual and material needs). Nowadays the buildings are used as student residences but there is still an air of peace and tranquillity amongst the complex of 72 red-brick cottages that are set amongst cobbled streets and grassed lawns.