I`ve talked about Why you should visit Leuven in Belgium and admiring the City Hall is definitely one of those reasons. Because it`s such a beautiful building I wanted to share a bit more info and photos.
Construction on City Hall Leuven started in 1439 and it took decades before it was finished. There were three architects involved: Sulpicius Van Vorst, Jan II Keldermans and Matheus de Layens. It may have taken them a while but the result is stunning.
Outside
If you take a tour of City Hall, not only will the guide show you around inside (which is only possible through a guided tour) but he/she will explain more about the history, the outside and the meaning of the statues. There are no less than 236 statues, which were only added after 1850.
As a student I`ve always passed City Hall and admired the architecture of the building, but taking the tour definitely gave me even more appreciation for its background.
Inside
Just as in the middle ages, the foyer on the ground floor is a covered extension of the Great Market.
Second Floor
Practical
Location
Grote Markt 9, across from St Peter`s Cathedral.
Opening Hours
Guided tours are possible for individuals, every day at 3 pm (Closed on 25 December and 1 January) The salons are not open to the public during weddings and official ceremonies.
Price
€ 4 per person*
Tip: Combi-ticket: Visit the Town Hall together with M/Schatkamer van Sint-Pieter: € 10 per person*
You can buy a ticket at the Tourist Information Office at Naamsestraat 3, which is still part of City Hall but around the corner.
*Price was accurate at time of publishing
Thanks to Stad Leuven for providing me with a complimentary ticket.
Also nice to know: Mattheus De Layens had a square named after him closeby the Grote Markt.
Leuven’s City Hall definitely is a nice building. I walk past it almost weekly, but I’ve never gone in!
I was the same Sofie, it wasn`t until my partner, who`s from Australia was visiting, we decided to go in. Definitely worth it!
The Leuven City Hall is gorgeous. I can’t believe I missed visiting Leuven last time I was in Brussels. Definitely planning another visit soon and making time for a stop in Leuven. Thanks for the info!
It is definitely worth the visit and only 30 minutes from Brussels by train. Thanks for stopping by, glad I could inspire you 🙂
30 minutes by train from Brussels is easy, and that puts it at just over an hour by car from Venlo. This is a must for our next excursion across the border 🙂 Thanks again!!