Ladeuzeplein
Encyclopedia
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
for square) in the center of Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
(50°52′42"N 4°42′20"E.). The square was named after a former rector of the Catholic University Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
, Monseigneur Paulin Ladeuze. The Ladeuzeplein is the largest square in Leuven. Until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was called the Volksplaats or People's Place.
Among the local population the square was known as the Clarisse. This name is derived from the Clarisse religious order who used to have a monastery at this location, when it still was a sandy hill. In 1783 the monastery was abolished and the city of Leuven bought the estate from the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
authorities, who had inherited it, in order to establish a market dedicated to the sale of wood. The hill was leveled off and the first house on the square was erected in 1812. At this time the square was named Place Napoleon, later it was renamed the Volksplaats and eventually it became the Mgr. Ladeuzeplein.
University Library
The square is dominated visually by the monumental library of the University. Even though the neo-Renaissance exterior implies otherwise, the building is relatively recent, dating from 1921. The library was a gift from the American peopleUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to the city of Leuven, after the original 17th century library near the Grote Markt
Grote Markt (Leuven)
The Grote Markt of Leuven, Belgium is situated between the Oude Markt and the Fochplein and near both the Bondgenotenlaan and the Muntstraat .Its location on the crossing of some of Leuven's most famous and most touristic spots...
was burned down by the German occupying forces in August 1914. The fire destroyed not only a large part of the cultural patrimony of the medieval city, but it also caused the loss of countless and irreplaceable historical manuscripts and books, many dating back centuries.
This act of violence caused uproar throughout the world and several, mostly American, charities were established to compensate the loss, so in 1921 work was begun to build a new library, on the square now known as Ladeuzeplein. The new building also contains one of the largest carillons in Europe, it was created and offered as a gift in 1928, by US engineers as a monument of remembrance for all colleagues who lost their lives during World War I. The carillon originally contained 48 bells, that being the number of states in the Union at the time of the gift. The main bell, which rings every hour on the hour, is named the Liberty Bell of Louvain and the fourth largest bell contains an inscription calling for world peace.
In May 1940, in the first year of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the German occupiers again destroyed, almost completely, the (new) University Library. After the war the building was reconstructed almost completely along the original plans. After a substantial renovation from 1999 to 2003 the exterior, carillon and roof structure are once again restored to their former beauty and dominate views of the square.
Art
In 2005 the Catholic University Leuven celebrated its 575th anniversary and decided to thank the city of Leuven for its hospitality by asking renowned artist Jan FabreJan Fabre
Jan Fabre is a Belgian multidisciplinary artist, playwright, stage director, choreographer and designer.He studied at the Municipal Institute of Decorative Arts and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp...
to create a fitting sculpture and present it as a gift to the city. Fabre designed a modern art installation called the Totem. It consists of huge bug stuck on a 75 feet (22.9 m) high steel needle. The juxtaposition of the surreal view of the bug on a needle in front of the neo-classical library building perfectly captures the spirit of the city and university of Leuven.
The ancient art of citywide musical recitals also still is very much alive. There are regular recitals carried out on the carillon, which was completely restored in 1983 and expanded to 63 bells.
Regular events
- Weekly Farmers' market on Friday
- Yearly cultural city wide exposition Leuven in Scene
- On Saturday and Sunday during the months of July and August nightly carillon recitals Ladeuze Bells
- Yearly carnival fair during the month of September
- Christmas fair in December
External links
- Totem van Jan Fabre - Dutch language site
- Leuven in Scene - Dutch language site
- Ladeuze Bells - Dutch language site