Welcome to Leuven for the first meeting of the Marine Strategy Coordination Group
– 15 May 2009 – Practical & venue information

From the centre of Brussels

Trains to Leuven run at least every half hour, more frequently in morning and evening peak time.

Timetable information is available at

At all stations in Brussels, timetable information is also on display.

From Brussels central station travel time of IC trains to Leuvenis less than half an hour.

Be careful with: (1) 'CR' trains are slow as they stop everywhere; (2) don't take a train to Liège-Maastricht as these don't stop at Leuven. If the train goesto Aarschot-Hasselt, check on the displays whether it stops in Leuven (some don't)(3) Don't take a train to 'Louvain-la-Neuve' as this is another place altogether.

From Brussels airport

Weekdays, there are two direct trains to Leuven every hour, usually leave at .17' or .39' past the hour (Direction Leuven or Leuven-Landen). Travel time is a quarter of an hour. During weekends, there's only one direct train every hour. Then it may be quicker to go via Brussels North Station and a connection there.

Upon arriving in Leuven station

The town hall is visible in the distance from the square in front of the station. It's situated on the Grote Markt at the end of Bondgenotenlaan. Count 15' to walk; buses (to stop 'Fochplein') or taxis are a possible alternative.

For those interested to stay nearby, hotel accommodation is available in Leuven. There is a range of hotels in all classes, including from chains such as Novotel, Ibis, Holiday Inn.

LeuvenTown Hall

The magnificent town hall of Leuven can be admired at the Grote Markt (Market Square). Since a few years this market square is free from traffic (except some public buses). Therefore, a visitor can take all the time it takes to fully stand in awe at this most perfect and beautiful expression of the Brabantine Gothic style.

The harmonious dimensions and rich decoration of the walls make the town hall a shrine of medieval splendor. The first stone was laid in 1439, the designer was the architect Sulpitius Van der Vorst. He died shortly afterwards and architect Keldermans continued his work. When Keldermans died in 1445 a third architect, Mathijs de Layens, continued the construction from 1447 until 1468. It was Mathijs de Layens who gave the flamboyant Gothic look to the building. He is therefore also considered the creator of the town hall.

In 1706 the staircase at the entrance was added. The town hall was renovated for the first time in the 19th century. During the restoration new neo-gothic elements were added. A first restoration ran from 1829 until 1841. During the second half of the century the statues were added to further decorate the façade. This was due to the French writer Victor Hugo, who, during his stay in Leuven, insisted that statues would be made to fill out the empty niches because he found that such a splendid building could not be left unfinished. From 1893 until 1907 the beautifully sculptured pedestals on which the statues rest, were renovated too. During the bombings of 1944 the town hall suffered considerable damage which resulted in another renovation campaign from 1962 until 1983. In the 1990's the building, which had become very black, was thoroughly cleaned.

The town hall looks like a delicately wrought relic shrine. It shows the late gothic style at its most splendid. The elegant lines are accentuated by the proportions of the facades. The main facades count 10 bays, whereas the side facades count only 3. The vertical movement, which is so typical for the Gothic style, is reinforced by the slim towers on all four corners of the building. There is a total of 236 statues (made in the 19th and 20th centuries). They represent artists, scientists, historic persons and other people that played an important role in the history of the city. On the higher floors the Counts of Leuven and the Dukes of Brabant are shown.

Inside, the different rooms are richly decorated with paintings(amongst others paintings of the Mayors of Leuven since 1794). In the entrance hall are four statues by the 19th century Belgian sculptor Constantin Meunier.

The nearby St. Pieterskerk hosts among its many artworks the famous Dirk Bouts' painting 'The Last Supper' (left).

Surroundings

The market square ('Grote Markt') is the centre of Leuven, with all facilities nearby.

You can:

find plenty of cafes, bars, snack-bars, restaurants, … in the very near vicinity: especially on Grote Markt, Oude Markt, Muntstraat (at the back of the Town Hall), where you can have lunch.

take a stroll & do some (window-)shopping on the Bondgenotenlaan (main street connecting to the station) or in the parallel (pedestrianised) Diestsestraat

if you have more time, explore some of the historic past and current university function of Leuven with a visit to the old beguinage, the University Library on Ladeuzeplein.

The European Commission DG Environment, Unit D.2 thank LeuvenBoard of Mayor and Aldermen for allowing the use of the town hall for this meeting.