Passers-by know it as an imposing building. Students know it as a place to study. But what else does Leuven University Library have to offer? With the ErfgoedApp , you ErfgoedApp the various halls and rooms and learn more about the history and hidden treasures.
An eventful history
The University Library we know today was built in the 1920s to a design by Whitney Warren. It replaced the original library, which was located on Naamsestraat and fell victim to the ravages of war in 1914. But the new library was not spared either and was damaged in 1940, at the start of the Second World War. Once again, many books were lost. After the split of the University of Leuven in 1968, the University Library saw part of its collection move to Louvain-la-Neuve, to the French-speaking university UCL.
The tour guides you step by step through this eventful history. You start outside, in front of the building. Then you make your way through the reception area and the first and second floors. On your way up, you will pass the bust of Herbert Hoover, chairman of the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Thanks to his efforts, construction of a new library building could begin in 1921 on what is now Mgr. Ladeuzeplein, and a new book collection could be assembled.
In the hall on the first floor, you will encounter various works of art, including pieces by Harry Elstrøm, Albert Ciamberlani, and Jacques Moeschal. These works of art also form a piece of the puzzle in the history of the library. They depict figures or events that have played an important role in it.
After the hall, you enter the Great Reading Room, the jewel of the library. The room and side rooms were redesigned by architect Henry Lacoste after the fire in 1940. The reading room contains no fewer than 44,000 books and is still a favorite place for students to study in peace. Tip: plan your visit on the weekend to fully explore the Great Reading Room. During the week, visits are limited so as not to disturb students using the library.
If you go up one more floor, you will reach the entrance to the tower. This is where the tour ends. In the tower, a digital exhibition tells you more about the history of the University Library during and between the two world wars. Be sure to climb the tower for a breathtaking view of Leuven.
Practical
Would you like to learn more about the fascinating history of Leuven University Library? Download the ErfgoedApp the App Store or Google Play and download the'University LibraryTour' tour. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office in the University Library.
