Editing Leuven

{{Short description|Capital of Flemish Brabant province, Belgium}}
{{redirect-multi|2|Louvain|Lowen}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox Belgium municipality
| name            = Leuven
| namefr          = Louvain
| type            = city
| picture         = Tafelrond Leuven - 385956 - onroerenderfgoed.jpg
| picture-legend  = [[Leuven Town Hall]] in 2019
| map             = Leuven Flemish-Brabant Belgium Map.svg
| map-legend      = Location of Leuven in Flemish Brabant
| arms            = Wapen van Leuven.svg
| flag            = Flag of Leuven.svg
| arrondissement  = [[Leuven Arrondissement|Leuven]]
| nis             = 24062
| pyramid-date    = 2 January 2006
| 0–19            = 19.59
| 20–64           = 63.45
| 65              = 16.95
| foreigners      = 9.43
| foreigners-date = 1 July 2005
| mayor           = {{ill|Mohamed Ridouani|nl}} ([[Vooruit (political party)|Vooruit]])
| majority        = [[Vooruit (political party)|Vooruit]], [[Groen (political party)|Groen]], [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CD&V]]
| postal-codes    = 3000, 3001, 3010, 3012, 3018
| telephone-area  = 016
| web             = [http://www.leuven.be www.leuven.be]
| coordinates     = {{coord|50|53|N|04|42|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}
| footnotes               =[[File:Logo of Leuven.svg|80px|center]]{{center|[[Logo]] of Leuven}}
|population_demonym=Leuvener}}

'''Leuven''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|l|ɜː|v|ən}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|l|ʌ|v|ən}}, {{IPA|nl-NL|ˈløːvə(n)|lang|Nl be-Leuven.ogg}}), also called '''Louvain''' ({{IPAc-en|l|uː|ˈ|v|æ̃}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|l|uː|ˈ|v|eɪ|n}}, {{IPA|fr|luvɛ̃|lang|Louvain-FR.wav}}), is the capital and largest [[City status in Belgium|city]] of the [[Provinces of Belgium|province]] of [[Flemish Brabant]] in the [[Flemish Region]] of [[Belgium]]. It is located about {{convert|25|km|0|abbr=off}} east of [[Brussels]]. The municipality itself comprises the [[deelgemeente|sub-municipalities]] of [[Heverlee]], [[Kessel-Lo]], Leuven proper, [[Wilsele]], [[Wijgmaal]] and part of [[Haasrode, Leuven|Haasrode]] and [[Korbeek-Lo, Leuven|Korbeek-Lo]]. It is the eighth largest city in Belgium, with more than 100,244 inhabitants.<ref>Federal Ministry of Home Affairs, 1 November 2016</ref>

Leuven has been a university city since 1425. This makes it the oldest university city in the [[Low Countries]]. [[KU Leuven]], the largest Dutch-speaking university in the world and the largest university in the Low Countries (and thus also Belgium's largest university), has its flagship campus in Leuven.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kuleuven.be/english/about-kuleuven/|title=About KU Leuven|website=Kuleuven.be|language=en|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509111826/https://www.kuleuven.be/english/about-kuleuven/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is home of the headquarters of [[Anheuser-Busch InBev]], the world's largest beer brewer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.technavio.com/blog/top-companies-global-beer-market|title=Top 10 Largest Beer Companies in the World 2020 &#124; Top Beer Brands|website=Blog.technavio.com|date=8 May 2020|access-date=15 August 2019|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815152713/https://blog.technavio.com/blog/top-companies-global-beer-market|url-status=live}}</ref> and sixth-largest [[fast-moving consumer goods]] company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mbaskool.com/fun-corner/top-brand-lists/17609-top-10-fmcg-companies-in-the-world.html|title=Top 10 FMCG Companies in the World 2021|website=Mbaskool.com|access-date=15 August 2019|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604130707/https://www.mbaskool.com/fun-corner/top-brand-lists/17609-top-10-fmcg-companies-in-the-world.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{For timeline}}

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Leuven, Belgium ; Ferraris Map.jpg|thumb|left|"Loven ou Louvain" on the [[Ferraris map]] (around 1775)]]

The earliest mention of Leuven (''Loven'') dates from 891, when a Viking army was defeated by the [[Franks|Frankish]] king [[Arnulf of Carinthia]] (see: [[Battle of Leuven (891)|Battle of Leuven]]). According to a legend, the city's red and white arms depict the blood-stained shores of the river [[Dyle (river)|Dyle]] after this battle, similarly to the [[flag of Austria]] and the [[flag of Latvia]].

Situated beside this river, and near to the stronghold of the [[Duchy of Brabant|Dukes of Brabant]], Leuven became the most important centre of trade in the [[duchy]] between the 11th and 14th centuries. A token of its former importance as a centre of cloth manufacture is shown in that ordinary linen cloth was known, in late-14th-century and 15th-century texts, as ''lewyn'' (other spellings: ''Leuwyn'', ''Levyne'', ''Lewan(e)'', ''Lovanium'', ''Louvain'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.library.ucla.edu/yrl/reference/maps/blaeu/germania-inferior-nt.htm#prima_brabantiae |title=Blaeu Atlas (UCLA Library – YRL Reference and Instructional Services) |publisher=Library.ucla.edu |date=2 April 2003 |access-date=16 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021027093553/http://www.library.ucla.edu/yrl/reference/maps/blaeu/germania-inferior-nt.htm#prima_brabantiae |archive-date=27 October 2002 }}</ref>

===Early modern period===
In the 15th century, a new golden era began with the founding of the largest and oldest university in the [[Low Countries]], the [[Old University of Leuven|University of Leuven]], in 1425.<ref name="Inc2009">{{cite book|author=Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc|title=Fodor's Belgium|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9Skyy86HOQC|date=January 2009|publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications|isbn=978-1-4000-0881-0|page=27|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004153524/https://books.google.com/books?id=b9Skyy86HOQC|url-status=live}}</ref> Prestigious buildings like the [[Leuven Town Hall|Town Hall]] and the [[St. Peter's Church, Leuven|Saint Peter's Church]] (itself designated a [[UNESCO]] [[Belfries of Belgium and France|World Heritage Site]] in 1999) were constructed. The art of painting flourished with painters such as [[Dirk Bouts]], [[Albrecht Bouts]] and [[Jan Rombouts the Elder]]. The painter [[Quinten Metsys]] was born and trained in Leuven.

By the turn of the 16th century, Leuven had become a major European center for art and knowledge with humanists like [[Erasmus]] and [[Hieronymus van Busleyden]] working there. In 1517 the latter founded the [[Collegium Trilingue]] in which the three ancient languages: [[Latin]], [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] were taught. It promoted the critical study of classical literature and the Bible. [[Thomas More]] published his [[Utopia (More book)|''Utopia'']] at [[Dirk Martens]] printing house in Leuven in 1516. [[Gemma Frisius]] laid the foundation for modern triangulation methods and cartography. He further made important contributions to mathematics, geography and astronomy. [[Gerardus Mercator]] and [[John Dee]] were among his students. Leuven became a leading centre for the fabrication of precision astronomical instruments, such as the planetaria and the terrestrial and celestial globes built by [[Gaspard van der Heyden]] and [[Gualterus Arsenius]]. [[Andreas Vesalius]] completed his medicine studies in Leuven, before moving to Padova and Basel. Religious persecutions of Protestants, followed by greater religious and political turmoil starting in the late 1560s, greatly affected intellectual life in Leuven. Many professors and alumni from Leuven moved abroad. The newly founded [[University of Leiden]] in Holland, amongst others, would profit greatly from this brain drain. Despite this the university continued to excel in disciplines like theology with [[Johannes Molanus]] and classical studies with [[Justus Lipsius]].

===18th and 19th centuries===
[[File:Leuven, Belgium (ca. 1890-1900).jpg|thumb|View over Leuven, late 19th century]]

In the 18th century, the brewery Den Horn (meaning "the horn") flourished. In 1708, Sebastien Artois became the master brewer at Den Horn, and gave his name to the brewery in 1717, now part of [[AB InBev]], whose flagship beer, [[Stella Artois]], is brewed in Leuven and sold in many countries.

Leuven developed considerably during the 19th century. Dozens of squares were created, including the Sint-Jacobsplein, the Volksplaats (today's [[Ladeuzeplein]]) and the Statieplein (today's Martelarenplein).{{sfn|Van Even|1895|p=97}} From 1835, the streets of the city were lit with gas.{{sfn|Van Even|1895|p=96}} The Voer stream was vaulted, the channels occupying the middle of the streets were removed, a number of narrow streets were widened or simply destroyed and a considerable number of sewers were installed. The municipal theatre and the main post office were built, respectively in 1866 and between 1893 and 1895.{{sfn|Diriken|2006|p=24}} It was also at this time that the central prison was built.

===20th century===

====World War I====
{{Further|The Rape of Belgium#War crimes}}
{{Main|Sack of Louvain}}
[[File:Interior of the Famous Library at Louvain destroyed during World War I.jpg|left|thumb|The ruins of the [[Catholic University of Leuven (1834–1968)|Catholic University of Leuven]]'s [[Academic libraries in Leuven|library]] after it was burned by the German army in 1914]]
Leuven has several times been besieged or occupied by foreign armies; these include the [[Battle of Leuven (891)]], the [[Siege of Leuven]] (1635) and the [[Battle of Leuven (1831)]]. In the 20th century, both world wars inflicted major damage upon the city. Upon Germany's entry into [[World War I]], the town was heavily damaged by rampaging soldiers.<ref>[[Michael S. Neiberg]], ''Fighting the Great War: A Global History'', Harvard University Press, 2005. p. 15.</ref> In all, about 300 civilians died.<ref name="eb12">{{Cite EB1922|wstitle=Louvain}}</ref> [[University Hall, Leuven|The university library]] was [[List of destroyed libraries|destroyed]] on 25 August 1914, using petrol and incendiary pastilles.{{sfn|Kramer|2007|p=6, 8}} Approximately 230,000 volumes were lost in the destruction, including [[Gothic art|Gothic]] and [[Renaissance]] manuscripts, a collection of 750 medieval manuscripts, and more than 1,000 [[incunabula]] (books printed before 1501).<ref>Knuth 2006, p. 164.</ref>{{sfn|Williams|2018|p=38}} The German atrocities and the cultural destruction caused worldwide outrage.{{sfn|Charney|2010|p=122}}{{sfn|Williams|2018|p=41}} The burning of the city was done as a reprisal, which at the time was legal under international law, as the Germans alleged that Belgian civilians had taken part in the fighting and killed German troops.<ref>{{cite book |title= International Law: A Treatise, vol.2, Disputes, War and Neutrality |last= McNair|first= Arnold D. |year=1926 |publisher=Longmans, Green and Co.}}</ref><ref name="McNair">{{cite journal |last= Vance |first= Jonathan F. |title= Men in Manacles: The Shackling of Prisoners of War |journal= The Journal of Military History |date= July 1995 |doi= 10.2307/2944619 |jstor= 2944619 |url= https://www.jstor.org/stable/2944619 |access-date= 18 July 2021 |archive-date= 9 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210809133917/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2944619 |url-status= live |url-access= subscription }}</ref> The old library building was rebuilt after the war, and much of the collection was replaced. A new, dedicated Central Library was built on the square now known as [[Ladeuzeplein]]; it was officially opened on 4 July 1928.<ref>[http://www.kuleuven.be/international/news/historiker/Mark-Derez.pdf ''The burning of the library of Leuven and the international response''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103131847/http://www.kuleuven.be/international/news/historiker/Mark-Derez.pdf |date=3 November 2013 }}, Mark Derez, 2012, University Archives KU Leuven (pp. 9–12)</ref>

====World War II====
In World War II, after the start of the [[Case Yellow|German offensive]], Leuven formed part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]'s front line and was defended by units of the [[3rd Division (United Kingdom)|3rd Division]] and Belgian troops. From 14 to 16 May 1940, the German [[Army Group B]] assaulted the city with heavy air and artillery support. The British withdrew their forces to the [[River Senne]] on the night of 16 May and the town was occupied the next day.<ref>*Ellis, L. F. (1954) [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-4.html The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521205612/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-4.html |date=21 May 2013 }}. J. R. M. Butler (ed.). HMSO. London (p. 62)</ref> The new university library building was set on fire by shelling, on 16 May, and nearly a million books were lost.<ref>Derez p. 13</ref>

In September 1942, the Stalag 304 [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|prisoner-of-war camp]] was relocated from [[Zeithain]] to Leuven.<ref name=ushm>{{cite book|last1=Megargee|first1=Geoffrey P.|last2=Overmans|first2=Rüdiger|last3=Vogt|first3=Wolfgang|year=2022|title=The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV|publisher=Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|pages=287–288|isbn=978-0-253-06089-1}}</ref> It housed Soviet, Belgian and Serbian POWs.<ref name=ushm/> In 1945, the camp was moved to [[Trieste]].<ref name=ushm/>

==Climate==
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Leuven (1991–2020)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
| Jan high C = 6.6
| Feb high C = 7.7
| Mar high C = 11.6
| Apr high C = 15.9
| May high C = 19.5
| Jun high C = 22.3
| Jul high C = 24.4
| Aug high C = 24.1
| Sep high C = 20.5
| Oct high C = 15.6
| Nov high C = 10.4
| Dec high C = 7.0
|year high C = 15.5
|Jan mean C = 3.9
|Feb mean C = 4.4
|Mar mean C = 7.2
|Apr mean C = 10.4
|May mean C = 14.1
|Jun mean C = 17.1
|Jul mean C = 19.2
|Aug mean C = 18.8
|Sep mean C = 15.5
|Oct mean C = 11.6
|Nov mean C = 7.4
|Dec mean C = 4.5
|year mean C = 11.2
| Jan low C = 1.2
| Feb low C = 1.0
| Mar low C = 2.8
| Apr low C = 4.9
| May low C = 8.8
| Jun low C = 11.9
| Jul low C = 14.0
| Aug low C = 13.5
| Sep low C = 10.5
| Oct low C = 7.5
| Nov low C = 4.3
| Dec low C = 1.9
|year low C = 6.9
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 70.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 62.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 54.5
| Apr precipitation mm = 43.3
| May precipitation mm = 55.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 67.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 72.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 79.5
| Sep precipitation mm = 60.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 62.8
| Nov precipitation mm = 68.5
| Dec precipitation mm = 83.5
|year precipitation mm = 780.7
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 12.7
| Feb precipitation days = 11.6
| Mar precipitation days = 11.1
| Apr precipitation days = 8.9
| May precipitation days = 9.6
| Jun precipitation days = 9.6
| Jul precipitation days = 10.0
| Aug precipitation days = 10.2
| Sep precipitation days = 9.8
| Oct precipitation days = 10.6
| Nov precipitation days = 11.8
| Dec precipitation days = 13.6
|year precipitation days = 129.4
|Jan sun = 59
|Feb sun = 74
|Mar sun = 129
|Apr sun = 181
|May sun = 210
|Jun sun = 211
|Jul sun = 217
|Aug sun = 204
|Sep sun = 160
|Oct sun = 117
|Nov sun = 66
|Dec sun = 50
|year sun = 1678
|source 1 = KMI/IRM<ref name=eather1>{{cite web| url = https://www.meteo.be/resources/climatology/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS24062_9120_nl.pdf| title = Climate data Leuven| access-date = 15 October 2016| publisher = KMI/IRM| archive-date = 26 April 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210426091115/https://www.meteo.be/resources/climatology/climateCity/pdf/climate_INS24062_9120_nl.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref>
|date=26 April 2021
}}

==Economy==
Given the presence of the [[KU Leuven]], Europe's most innovative university according to Reuters,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2017/ku-leuven-once-again-tops-reuters-ranking-of-europes-most-innovative-universities|title=KU Leuven once again tops Reuters ranking of Europe's most innovative universities|website=Nieuws.kuleuven.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107174155/https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2017/ku-leuven-once-again-tops-reuters-ranking-of-europes-most-innovative-universities|url-status=live}}</ref> much of the local economy is concentrated on spin-offs from academic research. In addition, the Leuven-based research centre, [[IMEC]], is a research centre in the field of nano-electronics and digital technologies. As a result, dozens of companies in high technological fields such as biotech, robotics, additive manufacturing and IT, are located near these research institutes on the Arenberg Science Park and [[Haasrode Research-Park]]. Quite a few international companies such as [[Siemens]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lrd.kuleuven.be/en/news/siemens-acquires-lms-international|title=Siemens acquires LMS International|website=Lrd.kuleuven.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505131828/https://lrd.kuleuven.be/en/news/siemens-acquires-lms-international|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Huawei]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huawei.com/en/news/2015/05/hw_427623|title=Huawei Launches New European Research Institute to Gear up European Digitization Progress and Achieve Win-Win Outcomes – Huawei Press Center|website=Huawei.com|access-date=5 January 2018|archive-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063912/http://www.huawei.com/en/news/2015/05/hw_427623|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nitto Denko]], JSR Corporation or Commscope have important, often research oriented branches, in Leuven. The academic hospital [[UZ Leuven]], first in Europe regarding the number of clinical tests per capita and approval rates for clinical trials, [[UZ Leuven]] is another advanced research institute. It is one of Europe's largest academic hospitals. As a result, large numbers of private service providers are active in the medical, financial and legal fields.

Because it is the capital of the province of [[Flemish Brabant]], many governmental institutions are located in Leuven, as well as the regional headquarters of transport corporations such as [[De Lijn]]. As one of Flanders Art-Cities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitflanders.com/en/destinations/index.jsp|title=Flemish destinations|website=Visitflanders.com|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183654/https://www.visitflanders.com/en/destinations/index.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref> with a large range of cafés, restaurants, cultural institutions and shopping neighbourhoods, Leuven also attracts a growing number of tourists.

Leuven is the worldwide headquarters of [[Anheuser-Busch InBev]], the largest beer company in the world and is considered one of the largest [[fast-moving consumer goods]] (FMCG) companies in the world. InBev's [[Stella Artois]] brewery and main offices dominate the entire north-eastern part of the town, between the railway station and the [[canal]] to [[Mechelen]]. Finally, Leuven is the ancestral home of the [[KBC Group]]. KBC is one of the leading financial groups in Europe. It is a multi-channel bank-insurance group, with a geographic focus on Belgium and Central Europe, catering mainly to retail clients, SMEs and local midcaps. As one of the largest companies in Belgium and it has its insurance and auto lease HQ in Leuven.

==Demographics==
As of 1 January 2024, the population of Leuven was 104,009. The [[arrondissement of Leuven]] counted 527,443 in January 2024.

The city itself is made up out of the centre of Leuven (30,313), [[Kessel-Lo]] (29,147), [[Heverlee]] (22,521), [[Wilsele]] (9,786) and [[Wijgmaal]] (3,592).

===Student population===
Leuven has a large international student population, mainly concentrated around the city centre. The [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven]] ([[KU Leuven]]; University of Leuven) has three campuses in the city, with a total of more than 50,000 students as of June 2024.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 June 2024 |title=Aantal studenten |url=https://www.kuleuven.be/prodstudinfo/50000050/dash.html |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=KU Leuven}}</ref> It is the oldest Catholic university still in existence in the world, and the largest university in Belgium. There are also a number of ''[[hogescholen]]'' (universities of applied sciences), such as the UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL).

==Transport==
Within the city and its immediate surroundings, most distances can be covered on foot or with a bicycle. Several streets are off-limits to vehicle traffic and, within the city centre, road speed regulations prescribe {{convert|30|km/h|0|abbr=on}} as the maximum speed limit, making it a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city. There are also a few car parking lots.

There are numerous buses, primarily operated by the public transport company [[De Lijn]], that connect the city with the region while providing travel options within the city centre. The so-called Ringbus follows the [[ring road]] of the city. Buses 91 and 616 connect Leuven with [[Brussels Airport]].
[[File:Historisch Station Leuven.jpg|thumb|[[Leuven railway station]]]]
[[Leuven railway station]] is located on the [[National Railway Company of Belgium|NMBS]] railway lines 35 (Leuven–[[Aarschot]]–[[Hasselt]]), 36 ([[Brussels]]–[[Liège]]), 36N ([[Schaerbeek]]–Leuven), 53 ([[Schellebelle]]–Leuven), and 139 (Leuven–[[Ottignies]]). In [[Bierbeek]], south-east of Leuven, lies the beginning of [[High-speed rail in Belgium|HSL 2]], the high-speed railway towards Liège.

The [[European route E40]] passes Leuven in the south, the [[European route E314]] connects Leuven with the city of [[Aachen]].

==Politics==

===Mayor===
{{See also|List of mayors of Leuven}}
After the municipal election on 13 October 2024, the Vooruit party strengthens its position. The governing coalition of Leuven will continue working together which consists of [[Socialistische Partij Anders|Vooruit]] (23 out of 47 seats), [[Groen (political party)|Groen]] (5 seats) and [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CD&V]] (7 seats), with Vooruit providing the mayor with [[Mohamed Ridouani]]. The opposition is composed of [[New Flemish Alliance|N-VA]] (10 seats), [[Workers' Party of Belgium|PVDA]] (1 seat) and [[Vlaams Belang]] (1 seat).<ref>{{cite news |last1=VRT |first1=News |date=14 October 2024 |title=Leuven |trans-title=Dutch |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/regio/vlaams-brabant/leuven/ |access-date=5 November 2024 |newspaper=VRT Nieuws}}</ref>

==Culture==
One of Belgium's conservatories is based in Leuven: the [[Lemmensinstituut|Lemmens Institute]], which is described as "Faculty of Music, Performing Arts and Education". It is known for its music therapy education and its wordart-drama education. Kunstencentrum STUK is a cultural centre and venue in the city center for music, theatre, [[sound art]], and dance. Leuven holds a summer rock festival, [[Marktrock]]. Leuven has some university orchestras, such as the {{ill|University Symphony Orchestra|nl|Universitair Symfonisch Orkest}} (USO),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usoleuven.be/index.php?lang=en|title=USO – Homepage|website=Usoleuven.be|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125183220/https://usoleuven.be/index.php?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> the {{ill|University Symphonic Band|nl|Universitair Harmonieorkest}} (UHO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uho.be/nl|title=UHO|website=Uho.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706044411/https://uho.be/nl|url-status=live}}</ref> and the {{Interlanguage link|Arenberg Orchestra|nl|3=Arenbergorkest}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arenbergorkest.be/nl/|title=Arenbergorkest|website=Arenbergorkest.be|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628131104/https://arenbergorkest.be/nl/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://arenbergorkest.ulyssis.be/ |title=Het Arenbergorkest - Leuvens studentenorkest |access-date=19 June 2009 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811191931/http://arenbergorkest.ulyssis.be/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In September 2009, the [[M – Museum Leuven]] opened in Leuven. It is a museum for both contemporary and historical art, located near het Ladeuzeplein. It has hosted exhibitions by international artists such as Angus Fairhurst, Sol LeWitt, Roe Ethridge and Charles Burns as well as Belgian artists such as Ilse D'Hollander, Jan Vercruysse, Antoon Van Dyck and Freek Wambacq.

Leuven has a rich beer culture, being the birthplace of several beers such as [[Stella Artois]],<ref name="Inc2009" /> Leuvense Tripel, [[Domus]]<ref name="Inc2009" /> and Keizersberg. It has several bars priding themselves in offering a wide variety of local and international beers, including a bar that claims to offer more than 3000 different beers.

The [[Higher Institute of Philosophy]] holds the archives of the German philosopher [[Edmund Husserl]].

== Sport ==
[[File:King Power at Den Dreef Stadion.jpg|thumb|Den Dreef Stadium]]
Leuven was voted European City of Sport for 2021, highlighted by hosting the [[2021 UCI Road World Championships|UCI Road World Championships]], which will follow several routes of the [[Grote Prijs Jef Scherens]], a yearly cycling race in and around Leuven. The city also hosts the start of the [[Brabantse Pijl]], a [[Classic cycle races|semi-classic]] race and the [[Cyclocross Leuven]] is a [[cyclo-cross]] race held each year in January.

The main [[football club (association football)|football club]] of the municipality is [[Oud-Heverlee Leuven]], successor of prior clubs [[Daring Club Leuven]] and [[K. Stade Leuven|Stade Leuven]]. Both the men's team and [[Oud-Heverlee Leuven (women)|OH Leuven women]] play at the highest level. The city's prime basketball team is the [[Leuven Bears]], they play their home games at the SportOase. Other known top-tier teams include [[IHC Leuven]] (ice hockey), [[KHC Leuven]] (field hockey), Leuven aquatics(waterpolo) and VC Haasrode-Leuven (volleyball). Daring Club Leuven Atletiek is one of the oldest athletics clubs in Belgium, where [[Athletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|1964 Olympic gold medallist]] [[Gaston Roelants]] was a member.

There is also a GAA club in Leuven, the club is named, 'the Earls of Leuven', after the [[Flight of the Earls]]. The Earls of Leuven has become one of the most well-known GAA clubs in Europe, and is an affiliated University sports club. The city of Leuven has become the home of Collegiate Gaelic Games activity in Europe due to its organisation of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Collegiate Games. This GAA club is part of a wider European league, [[Gaelic Games Europe]], which is in itself part of the global organisation, [[The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)|The Gaelic Athletic Association]]

==Buildings and landmarks==

===Secular===
* The [[Leuven Town Hall|Town Hall]], built between 1439 and 1463 by {{Interlanguage link|Sulpitius van Vorst|nl}}, [[Jan II Keldermans]], and following their death, [[Matheus de Layens]], in a [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabantian]] late-[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style. In the 19th century, 236 statues were added to the exterior, each representing a prominent local scholar, artist or noble from the city's history. The reception hall dates from 1750.
* [[Arenberg Castle]] was originally built in 16th century in the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance style]] and was extensively renovated in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Neogothic style]] in the 19th century. The duke of Arenberg donated the domain to the [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven]] in 1916. It is open to the public. It has a green park outside with gardens. Eggs of wild ducks can be seen around the park.
* The Linen-hall, in an early-Gothic style, with baroque addition, is today the University Hall.
* The University Library on the [[Ladeuzeplein]] was built by the American architect [[Whitney Warren]]. It was a gift from the American people to Leuven after [[World War&nbsp;I]], during which the Germans burned down the original library. The tower houses one of the largest carillons in the world.
* The ''[[Oude Markt]]'' or ''Old Market'' square located in the centre of Leuven features a vibrant social scene, the centre of which displays a life-size statue of 'De Kotmadam', or "The Landlady" resting on a bench.
[[File:Ayuntamiento de Leuven (3431743649).jpg|thumb|''Fonske'' was designed by Jef Claerhout.]]
*[[Sint-Donatus Park]] contains remains of the medieval city wall. 
* ''Totem'' is a statue at the centre of the Ladeuzeplein; it is a work of the Belgian artist [[Jan Fabre]]. Featuring a {{convert|23|m|ft|adj=on}} high needle impaling a giant jewelled beetle, the statue towers over the square in front of the university library.
* ''Fonske'' is a statue near the centre of town. Its full name is ''Fons Sapientiae'', Latin for "fountain of wisdom". The statue represents a university student who, while reading a book, lets wisdom flow into his head as liquid from a glass. Just like ''[[Manneken Pis]]'' in Brussels, ''Fonske'' is, from time to time, dressed in costumes appropriate for specific occasions.

===Religious===
* [[St. Peter's Church, Leuven|St. Peter's Church]] (1425–1500) was finished by [[Jan Keldermans]] and [[Matheus de Layens]]. During the [[Second World War]], the church was damaged. During the restoration, a [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[crypt]] from the 11th century was found. In the church itself, there are several paintings from the 15th to 18th centuries (among which, [[Dirk Bouts]]' famous painting of the [[Last Supper]]) and the grave of [[Duke]] [[Henry I, Duke of Brabant|Henry I of Brabant]]. The {{convert|50|m|ft|adj=on}} high tower – which was meant to be {{convert|169|m|ft}} high, but was never completed – is home to a [[carillon]]. The tower was included in [[UNESCO]]'s list of [[Belfries of Belgium and France]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Heritage List {{!}} Belfries of Belgium and France |work=[[UNESCO]] |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 |access-date=2021-03-16 |archive-date=27 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727131937/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Saint-Anthony's Chapel, Pater Damiaanplein, from the 17th to the 20th centuries, contains the tomb of [[Father Damien]], the "leper priest" of [[Molokai]], who was [[Canonization|canonised]] by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on Sunday 11 October 2009.<ref name=CNA>{{cite web |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/15099/apostle-of-the-lepers-spanish-mystic-among-10-to-be-canonized |title='Apostle of the Lepers,' Spanish mystic among 10 to be canonized |website=Catholicnewsagency.com |access-date=21 July 2010 |archive-date=28 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528085828/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/apostle_of_the_lepers_spanish_mystic_among_10_to_be_canonized/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=VR>{{cite web |url=http://storico.radiovaticana.org/en1/storico/2009-10/324616_pope_proclaims_five_new_saints.html |title=Pope Proclaims Five New Saints |publisher=Radio Vaticana |access-date=21 July 2010 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525105920/http://storico.radiovaticana.org/en1/storico/2009-10/324616_pope_proclaims_five_new_saints.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' calls him "the Apostle of the Lepers",<ref name="Cite CE1913">{{Cite CE1913|wstitle=Father Damien (Joseph de Veuster)|first=Libert H.|last=Boeynaems}}</ref> and in some cases, he is known as the "leper priest". The [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] priest's remains were returned in Belgium in 1936, after having been originally buried on the Hawaiian Island of [[Molokai]] where he had served the outcast lepers until his death.
* The Church of Saint Michael was built in the typical [[Jesuit]] [[Baroque]] Style.
* The [[Saint Quentin's Church]] incorporates remains of a Romanesque church built in the 13th century.
* The Large [[Grand Béguinage, Leuven|Beguinage]] is one of the world's best remaining examples of its architectural type. It was recognised by [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1998.
* [[Park Abbey]], a 42ha [[Premonstratensian]] Abbey founded in 1129 and manufacturing site of the [[Parc Abbey Bible]]. It is one of the best preserved abbey complexes in the Low Countries<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitleuven.be/en/leuven-park-abbey|title=Leuven & Park Abbey|website=Visitleuven.be|date=8 December 2016|access-date=15 August 2019|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815155331/https://www.visitleuven.be/en/leuven-park-abbey|url-status=live}}</ref> and is still inhabited by a small community of [[Canons regular]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://norbertijnenabdijvanpark.be/wie-woont-hier/ |title=Wie woont hier? – Norbertijnenabdij van Park |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815155319/http://norbertijnenabdijvanpark.be/wie-woont-hier/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Keizersberg Abbey]], an active Neo-Romanesque Benedictine Abbey founded in 1888.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abdijkeizersberg.be/|title=Abdij Keizersberg|website=Abdijkeizersberg.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707040200/https://abdijkeizersberg.be/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is situated on the Keizersberg ("Emperor's Mountain") which used to be the location of a 12th-century ducal castle until it was demolished in 1782. 
* [[Vlierbeek Abbey]], a former [[Benedictine]] abbey founded in 1127. 
* [[St Gertrude's Abbey, Leuven|Sint-Geertrui Abdij]], a former [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] abbey founded in 1206.
* [[St John Berchmans University College, Heverlee|Lerkeveld]] is a Jesuit house, student residence, and headquarters of the [[Society of Jesus]] in Belgium.
* The Al Fath mosque was built in 2016 and is used as a mosque where people can pray.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alfath.be/|title=Al Fath &#124; Al Fath Moskee|website=Alfath.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706075442/https://alfath.be/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Al Ihsaan is a government-funded mosque that was found in 1976 and that is still actively used as a place for people to pray. Al Ihsaan also offers Arabic lessons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alihsaan.be/|title=Home|website=Alihsaan.be|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629225235/http://alihsaan.be/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* There are several other smaller churches and chapels throughout the town.

===Colleges===
The [[Old University of Leuven]] used to have [[List of colleges of Leuven University|40 constituent colleges and 4 pedagogies]], some of which are still being used by KU Leuven. The most notable ones are:
*[[Holy Ghost College, Leuven|Holy Ghost College]], founded in 1442, currently a residence for theology students and priests at KU Leuven.
* [[Collegium Trilingue]], which promoted the teaching of Hebrew, Greek and Latin. It was founded in 1517 by the humanist [[Hieronymus Busleyden]] under impulse of [[Desiderius Erasmus]] and served as a model for France's {{Lang|fr|[[Collège de France]]|italic=no}}. 
*[[Pope's College, Leuven|Pope's College]], a college for theology students of the [[Old University of Leuven]] founded by [[Pope Adrian VI]] in 1523.
*[[St Anthony's College, Leuven|St Anthony's College]], founded in 1607, was located on the Pater Damiaanplein and has been a centre of Irish learning on the European Continent since the early 17th century. [[The Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe]] is now located on the premises.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:View of the Great Market in Leuven, by Wolfgang de Smet, 1650-1700 - Museum M - Leuven, Belgium - DSC05617.JPG|View of the [[Oude Markt]], by [[Wolfgang de Smet]], {{circa|1650–1700|lk=no}}
File:Michael Neher - Marktplatz in Löwen (1854).jpg|View of the Grote Markt, by [[Michael Neher]], 1854
File:Leuven City Hall, looking up from base at night.jpg|Town hall
File:Leuven, Oude Markt foto4 2007-08-27 12.26.JPG|View of the Brusselsestraat from De Grote Markt
File:2011-09-24 17.42 Leuven, universiteitsbibliotheek ceg74154 foto4.jpg|The University Library
File:FonskeLeuven.jpg|''Fonske''
File:JacquemartCollegialeSaintPierreLouvain.JPG|[[Jacquemart (bellstriker)|Jacquemart]] at the [[Collegiate church]] in Leuven
File:Castle Arenberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven adj.jpg|Castle Arenberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
File:Leuven station Martelarenplein.jpg|Leuven train station
File:Leuven-Groot-Begijnhof.jpg|Groot-Begijnhof
File:Leuven-Adrian-VI-College.jpg|Adrian-VI College
File:Martelarenplein Leuven 2008.jpg|Martelarenplein
File:Leuven Fochplein A.jpg|Rector De Somerplein
File:Oude Markt Leuven.jpg|Oude Markt
St. Peter's Church, Leuven (DSCF0898).jpg|St. Peter's church
</gallery>

==Notable people==

===Born in Leuven===
*Most [[Duke of Brabant|Dukes of Brabant]] in the 12th and 13th centuries
*[[Marie of Brabant, Queen of France|Maria of Brabant]], [[queen consort]] of [[Kingdom of France|France]] (1256–1321)
*[[Louis Elsevier]], book publisher (1540–1617)
*[[Quentin Matsys]], painter (1466–1530)
*[[Petrus Phalesius the Elder]], publisher (c. 1501/05 – c. 1573/74) 
*[[Petrus van der Aa]], [[jurist]] (1530–1594)
*[[Valerio Profondavalle]], painter (b. 1533)
*[[Adriaan van Roomen]], mathematician (1561–1615)
*[[Charles de Bériot]], violinist (1802–1870)
*[[Eugène Prévinaire]], second governor of the [[National Bank of Belgium]] (1805–1877)
*[[Laurent-Guillaume de Koninck]], [[palaeontologist]] and [[chemist]] (1809–1887)
*[[Jean Stas]], analytical chemist (1813–1891)
*[[Bernardine Hamaekers]], opera singer (1836–1912)
*[[Arthur De Greef (composer)|Arthur De Greef]], pianist and composer (1862–1940)
*[[Jean Hissette]], ophthalmologist (1888–1965)
*[[Jef Scherens]], cyclist, seven-time [[UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Men's sprint|track cycling world champion, Men's Sprint]] (1909–1986)
*[[Georges Claes]], cyclist, two-time [[Paris–Roubaix]] winner (1920–1994)
*[[Hortense Clews]], World War II [[Resistance during World War II|Resistance]] worker and [[Concentration Camp]] survivor (1926–2006)
*[[Arthur Berckmans]], comics author (1929–2020)
*[[Mark Eyskens]], politician and former [[Prime Minister of Belgium]] (b. 1933)
*[[Jan Hoet]], curator and art critic (1936–2014)
*[[Louis Tobback]], politician and mayor (b. 1938)
*[[Danny Fabry]], musician (b. 1946)
*[[Emiel Puttemans]], middle- and long-distance runner (b. 1947)
*[[Frank Vandenbroucke (politician)|Frank Vandenbroucke]], politician (b. 1955)
*[[Patrick de Radiguès]], racing driver and sailor (b. 1956)
*[[Roland Liboton]], cyclist, four-time [[UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships|cyclo-cross world champion]] (b. 1957)
*[[Didier de Radiguès]], racing driver (b. 1958)
*[[William Van Dijck]], athlete, 1987 World Championships bronze medallist in 3000m steeplechase (b. 1961)
*[[Thomas Meuwissen]], violinmaker (b. 1966) 
*[[Bruno Bosteels]], philosopher, known for English translations of [[Alain Badiou]] (b. 1967)
*[[Judith Vanistendael]], comics author, illustrator (b. 1974)
*[[Kim Gevaert]], sprint athlete, Olympic gold medalist in 4×100 relay Beijing 2008 (Silver; Gold after Russian disqualification) (b. 1978)
*[[Jonathan Vandenbroeck]], singer-songwriter, better known as [[Milow]] (b. 1981)
*[[Dries Mertens]], footballer (b. 1987)
*[[Selah Sue]], musician and songwriter (b. 1989)
*[[Sennek]], singer; represented Belgium at the 2018 [[Eurovision Song Contest|Eurovision]] with the song "A Matter of Time" (b. 1990)
*[[Stienes Longin]], racing driver (b. 1991)
*[[Jasper Stuyven]], cyclist (b. 1992)
*[[Laurens Sweeck]], cyclist (b. 1993)
*[[Ben Broeders]], pole vault athlete (b. 1995)
*[[Elise Mertens]], tennis (b. 1995)
*[[Mandela Keita]], footballer (b. 2002)

===Lived in Leuven===
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Jean Baptiste Abbeloos]], [[oriental studies|orientalist]] and rector of the University of Leuven (1836–1906)
*[[Pope Adrian VI|Adrian VI]], pope and theologian (1459–1523)
*[[Michel Baius]], theologian (1513–1589)
*[[Johannes Basius]], agent and advisor of [[William the Silent|William of Orange]] (1540–1596)
*[[Dirk Bouts]], painter (c. 1410/20–1475)
*[[Eustace Chapuys]], [[Imperial ambassadors to England|Imperial ambassador to England]] (1489–1556)
*[[Christian de Duve]], [[cytologist]] and [[biochemist]], recipient of the 1974 [[Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine]] (b. 1917)
*[[Desiderius Erasmus]], [[Humanism|humanist]] and theologian (1466–1536)
*[[Matthias Vanden Gheyn]], composer, [[organist]], [[carillonist]] (1721–1785)
*Joseph Heremans, professor, Immunologist, discovered IgA and coined the term ''Immunoglobulins '' (1927–1975)
*[[Cornelius Jansen]], father of [[Jansenism]] (1585–1638)
*[[Jean-Baptiste Janssens]], philosophy teacher, [[Superior General of the Society of Jesus]] (1889–1964)
*[[Abdul Qadeer Khan]], metallurgical engineer (1935-2021)
*[[Matheus de Layens]], architect (d.1483)
*[[Georges Lemaître]], astronomer (1894–1966), notable for proposing the [[Big Bang]] theory for the origin of the [[universe]], dubbed by him as "hypothesis of the [[primeval atom]]" or the "Cosmic Egg".
*[[Ron Lewis (basketball)|Ron Lewis]], basketball player (b. 1984)
*[[Margaret of Louvain]], servant, Catholic saint (1207–1225)
*[[Justus Lipsius]], [[philologist]] and humanist (1547–1606)
*[[Gerardus Mercator]], cartographer (1512–1594)
*[[Mícheál Ó Cléirigh]], Irish [[chronicler]] (1590–1643)
*[[Daniël Theys]], expressive artist and glassmaker (b. 1953)
*[[Jan Van der Roost]], composer (b. 1956)
*[[Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen]], painter (1728–1811) 
*[[Philip Verheyen]], surgeon and [[Rector (academia)|rector]] of the [[Old University of Leuven|University of Leuven]] (1648–1711)
*[[Andreas Vesalius]], anatomist, physician (1514–1564)
}}

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Belgium}}

===Twin towns/sister cities===
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2017}}
Leuven is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|NED}} [['s-Hertogenbosch]], Netherlands
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Kraków]], [[Poland]]<ref name="Kraków twins">{{cite web|url=http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531,kat,0,6,miasta_partnerskie.html |title=Kraków – Miasta Bliźniacze |access-date=10 August 2013 |work=Miejska Platforma Internetowa Magiczny Kraków |language=pl |trans-title=Kraków – Twin Cities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702022307/http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531%2Ckat%2C0%2C6%2Cmiasta_partnerskie.html |archive-date= 2 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Lüdenscheid]], Germany
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Rennes]], France
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve]], Belgium

===Friendly relations===
Aside from the aforementioned cities, Leuven has friendly relations with: 
*{{flagicon|IND}} [[New Delhi]], [[India]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pers.leuven.be/samenwerking-tussen-leuven-en-new-delhi-verankerd |title=Samenwerking tussen Leuven en New Delhi verankerd |date=25 September 2017 |access-date=11 October 2017 |language=nl |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215065958/https://pers.leuven.be/samenwerking-tussen-leuven-en-new-delhi-verankerd |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ROC}} [[Tainan City|Tainan]], Taiwan
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Stellenbosch]], South Africa
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Wuxi]], People's Republic of China
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Ocaña, Spain]] {{cite web|url=http://www.ocana.es/|title=Ocaña}}
Leuven has an 'adoptive village' 
*{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Cristian, Sibiu|Cristian]], Romania

==See also==
*[[Koninklijke Oost- en Westvlaamsche Kring]]

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{See also|Timeline of Leuven#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Leuven}}
* [[Wikisource:Some Old Flemish Towns/Louvain|"Louvain"]], chapter from [[George Wharton Edwards]]'s 1911 book, ''[[Wikisource:Some Old Flemish Towns|Some Old Flemish Towns]]''. (Wikisource)
* {{cite book|last=Charney|first=Noah|title=Stealing the Mystic Lamb: The True Story of the World's Most Coveted Masterpiece|publisher=PublicAffairs|year=2010|isbn=978-1-58648800-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Diriken |first1=Pierre |title=Geogids Leuven |date=2006 |publisher=Kortessem |isbn=90-752-2450-8 |language=nl}}
* Knuth, Rebecca (2006). ''Burning Books and Leveling Libraries: Extremist Violence and Cultural Destruction''. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
* {{cite book|last=Kramer|first=Alan |title=[[Dynamic of Destruction: Culture and Mass Killing in the First World War]] |publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2007 |isbn=978-0-19-280342-9}}
* Tuchman, Barbara (1962). ''The Guns of August''. New York: Macmillan.
* {{cite book |last1=Van Even |first1=Edward |title=Louvain dans le passé et dans le présent |date=1895 |publication-date=2001 |publisher=Peeters |isbn=2-87723-578-5 |language=fr}}
* {{cite book|last=Williams|first=John P.|chapter=The Flames of Louvain: Total War and the Destruction of European High Culture in Belgium by German Occupying Forces in August 1914|title=The Great War in Belgium and the Netherlands: Beyond Flanders Fields|editor=Christophe Declercq & Felicity Rash|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|date=2018}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Leuven}}
* {{Official website|http://www.leuven.be}}
* [http://cwisdb.kuleuven.be/kaarten-bin/basiskaart.pl Detailed map of Leuven] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130022740/http://cwisdb.kuleuven.be/kaarten-bin/basiskaart.pl |date=30 November 2005 }} (detailed map of Leuven by the KUL)
* {{#invoke:OSM|etym|display=Streets worldwide named after Leuven, zoomable}}
*[https://www.belgiantrain.be/nl/travel-info/origin-destination/brussels-leuven Trains between Brussels and Leuven]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Leuven
|N  = [[Rotselaar]]
|E  = [[Holsbeek]]<br />[[Lubbeek]]
|SE = [[Bierbeek]]
|S  = [[Oud-Heverlee]]
|W  = [[Herent]]<br />[[Bertem]]
|NW = [[Haacht]]
}}
{{Populated places of Leuven}}
{{Municipalities in Flemish Brabant}}
{{Universities of Louvain}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Leuven| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Flemish Brabant]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals of Flanders]]
[[Category:Sub-municipalities of Leuven]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Belgium]]