The Mgr. Ladeuzeplein ("Mgr. Ladeuze Square") is the largest square in the centre of Leuven, Belgium. The square was named after a former rector of the

Catholic University of Leuven University of Leuven or University of Louvain (french: Université de Louvain, link=no; nl, Universiteit Leuven, link=no) may refer to: * Old University of Leuven (1425–1797) * State University of Leuven (1817–1835) * Catholic University of ...

, Mgr. Paulin Ladeuze. The central library of the

KU Leuven KU Leuven (or Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven, Belgium. It conducts teaching, research, and services in computer science, engineering, natural sciences, theology, humanities, medicine, ...

is located on this square.

Toponymy

Among the local population the square was known as the Jerkarlisse. 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 (''jer'' refers in the

local dialect Local may refer to: Geography and transportation * Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand * Local, Missouri, a community in the United States * Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administra ...

dirt Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty. Common types of dirt include: * Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains * Dust: a gener ...

, thus unpaved, as contrary to the adjacent Stiënkarlisse, the former paved ''Graanmarkt'', now the

Herbert Hoover Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was an American politician who served as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 and a member of the Republican Party, holding office during the onset of the Gr ...

plein). In 1783, the monastery was abolished and the city of Leuven bought the estate from the authorities, who had inherited it, in order to establish a market dedicated to the sale of wood. The hill was levelled off and the first house on the square was erected in 1812. At this time, the square was named the Place

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

("Napoleon Square"). Later, it was renamed the Volksplaats ("People's Place"), before acquiring its current name after

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

University Library

The square is dominated visually by the monumental central library of the

. Even though the

neo-Renaissance Renaissance Revival architecture (sometimes referred to as "Neo-Renaissance") is a group of 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Greek Revival nor Gothic Revival but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range ...

exterior implies otherwise, the building is relatively recent, dating from 1921. The library was a gift from the American people to the city of Leuven, after the original 17th-century library near the Grote Markt 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

bell A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be made by an inte ...

s, 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

, 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. In January 2014, a permanent exhibit on these wartime events was installed over five floors of the bell tower.

Art

In 2005, the

celebrated the 575th anniversary of the foundation of the Old University of Leuven, and decided to thank the city of Leuven for its hospitality by asking renowned artist Jan Fabre 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 a huge Thai

jewel beetle Buprestidae is a family of beetles known as jewel beetles or metallic wood-boring beetles because of their glossy iridescent colors. Larvae of this family are known as flatheaded borers. The family is among the largest of the beetles, with some ...

stuck on a high steel needle. According to the author, 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

References

External links

Totem van Jan Fabre
- Dutch language site
Leuven in Scene
- Dutch language site
Ladeuze Bells
- Dutch language site
Museum opened in Louvain's university library's bell tower
- Dutch language site {{coord, 50, 52, 42, N, 4, 42, 20, E, type:landmark_region:BE, display=title Bell towers in Belgium Buildings and structures in Leuven Carillons Squares in Belgium Tourist attractions in Flemish Brabant