Grote Markt, Leuven

Square in Leuven, Belgium Grote MarktGuildhalls on Leuven's Grote MarktLocation within BelgiumLocationLeuven, Flemish Brabant, BelgiumCoordinates50°52′45″N 4°42′05″E / 50.87917°N 4.70139°E / 50.87917; 4.70139 The Grote Markt (Dutch: [ˌɣroːtə ˈmɑr(ə)kt] ⓘ; "Big Market") is the central square of Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium. It is situated between the Oude Markt ("Old Square") and the Rector De Somerplein ("Rector De Somer Square", named for Pieter De Somer, the first rector of the autonomous Dutch-speaking Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) in 1968) and near both the Bondgenotenlaan ("Avenue of the Allied Forces") and the Muntstraat ("Mint Street"). The Grote Markt's location on the crossing of some of Leuven's most famous and most touristic spots make it one of the city's busiest squares. It has been pedestrian-friendly for some years; only public transportation buses from De Lijn are allowed to use the square. History and buildings View of the Great Market Square in Leuven by Wolfgang de Smet, c. 1667 The Grote Markt's location is one of the oldest and most historic in all of Leuven. The square has existed in its present form since the 14t