Park Abbey ( Dutch : Abdij van Park ; also Parc Abbey) is a Premonstratensian abbey in Belgium , at Heverlee just south of Leuven , in Flemish Brabant .
47-533: The Annales Parchenses were written here in the 12th century. The abbey was founded in 1129 by Duke Godfrey , surnamed "Barbatus" ("the Bearded"), who possessed an immense park near Leuven and had invited the Premonstratensians to take possession of a small church he had built there. Walter, abbot of St Martin's, Laon , brought a colony of his canons and acted as their superior for nearly three years, until
94-458: A tournament in 1095, and only had young daughters. His widow Gertrude married Theodoric II, Duke of (upper) Lorraine . He first came into conflict in 1096 with Otbert, Bishop of Liège , over the county of Brunengeruz that both claimed. In 1099, Emperor Henry IV allotted the county to the bishop, who entrusted it to Albert III, Count of Namur . Godfrey arbitrated a dispute between Henry III of Luxembourg and Arnold I, Count of Loon , over
141-516: A Viking army was defeated by the Frankish king Arnulf of Carinthia (see: Battle of Leuven ). According to a legend, the city's red and white arms depict the blood-stained shores of the 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 Dukes of Brabant , Leuven became the most important centre of trade in
188-406: 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
235-595: 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 and Hebrew were taught. It promoted the critical study of classical literature and the Bible. Thomas More published his Utopia at Dirk Martens printing house in Leuven in 1516. Gemma Frisius laid
282-517: A niece of Godfrey's second wife. Godfrey supported William, but could not enforce his claim against that of Charles the Good . Also dead in that year was Otbert. Two separate men were elected to replace him and Godfrey again sided with the loser. By marrying his daughter Adeliza to Henry I of England , who was also the father-in-law of the emperor, he greatly increased his prestige. However, Henry V died in 1125 and Godfrey supported Conrad of Hohenstaufen ,
329-465: 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. 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. In World War II, after
376-456: A rich beer culture, being the birthplace of several beers such as Stella Artois , Leuvense Tripel, Domus 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 . Leuven
423-850: A summer rock festival, Marktrock . Leuven has some university orchestras, such as the University Symphony Orchestra [ nl ] (USO), the University Symphonic Band [ nl ] (UHO). and the Arenberg Orchestra [ nl ] . 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
470-619: 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. The city is home of the headquarters of Anheuser-Busch InBev , the world's largest beer brewer and sixth-largest fast-moving consumer goods company. The earliest mention of Leuven ( Loven ) dates from 891, when
517-544: Is composed of N-VA (10 seats), PVDA (1 seat) and Vlaams Belang (1 seat). One of Belgium's conservatories is based in Leuven: the 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
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#1732855665283564-505: 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, with a large range of cafés, restaurants, cultural institutions and shopping neighbourhoods, Leuven also attracts
611-660: Is one of the oldest athletics clubs in Belgium, where 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
658-712: Is sometimes said to have passed in 1140, but this is an error. He married Ida of Chiny (1078–1117), daughter of Otto II, Count of Chiny , (c. 1065 – after 1131) and Adelaide of Namur . They had several children: Later, he married Clementia of Burgundy (c. 1078 – c. 1133), daughter of William I, Count of Burgundy , and widow of Robert II, Count of Flanders . They had no children. By an unknown mistress he had one son: Leuven Leuven ( UK : / ˈ l ɜː v ən / , US : / ˈ l ʌ v ən / , Flemish: [ˈløːvə(n)] ), also called Louvain ( / l uː ˈ v æ̃ / , US also / l uː ˈ v eɪ n / , French: [luvɛ̃] ),
705-450: 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. As of 1 January 2024, the population of Leuven
752-493: Is the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium . It is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of Brussels . The municipality itself comprises the sub-municipalities of Heverlee , Kessel-Lo , Leuven proper, Wilsele , Wijgmaal and part of Haasrode and Korbeek-Lo . It is the eighth largest city in Belgium, with more than 100,244 inhabitants. Leuven has been
799-530: The Calvinists . Abbots included Loots (1577–1583), van Vlierden (1583–1601), Jan Druys (1601–1634), Maes (1635–1647), De Pape (1648–1682), and van Tuycum (1682–1702). They all favoured higher education at the University of Leuven, and academic study flourished in the abbey. Under Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor , the abbey was confiscated, because Abbot Wauters (died 23 November 1792) refused to send his religious to
846-622: The University of Leuven , in 1425. Prestigious buildings like the Town Hall and the Saint Peter's Church (itself designated a UNESCO 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
893-419: 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 ). In the 15th century, a new golden era began with the founding of the largest and oldest university in the Low Countries ,
940-411: The duke of Franconia , against Lothair of Supplinburg . Lothair was elected. Lothair withdrew the duchy of Lower Lorraine and granted it to Waleran of Limburg (c. 1085 – 1139), the son of Henry, whom Henry V had deprived in 1106. Nonetheless, Godfrey maintained the margraviate of Antwerp and retained the ducal title (which would in 1183 become Duke of Brabant ). After the assassination of Charles
987-491: The ring road of the city. Buses 91 and 616 connect Leuven with Brussels Airport . Leuven railway station is located on the 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 HSL 2 , the high-speed railway towards Liège. The European route E40 passes Leuven in
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#17328556652831034-408: 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 The Old University of Leuven used to have 40 constituent colleges and 4 pedagogies , some of which are still being used by KU Leuven. The most notable ones are: Leuven is twinned with: Aside from
1081-487: The Arenberg Science Park and Haasrode Research-Park . Quite a few international companies such as Siemens , Huawei , 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
1128-585: The Bearded , the Courageous , or the Great , was the Landgrave of Brabant , Count of Brussels and Leuven (Louvain) from 1095 to his death and Duke of Lower Lorraine from 1106 to 1129. He was also Margrave of Antwerp from 1106 to his death. Godfrey was the son of Henry II (c. 1020–1078) and Adela of Orthen (or Betuwe), a daughter of Count Everard of Orthen . He succeeded his brother Henry III who died wounded in
1175-466: The Good in 1127, the Flemish succession was again in dispute. William Clito prevailed, but was soon fraught with revolts. Godfrey intervened on behalf of Theodoric of Alsace , who prevailed against Clito. Godfrey continued to war against Liège and Namur . Godfrey spent his last years in the abbey of Affligem . He died of old age on 25 January 1139 and was buried in the left aisle of the abbey church. He
1222-547: The King of England and the Duke of Burgundy. Abbot van Tulden (1462–94) was successful in his action against commendatory abbots being imposed on religious houses in Belgium. Abbot van den Berghe (1543–58) managed the contributions levied in support of the Belgian theologians present at the resumed Council of Trent . The abbey frequently suffered during the wars waged by William of Orange and
1269-561: The appointment of the abbot of Sint-Truiden . Godfrey was in favour with the emperor and defended his interests in Lorraine. In 1102, he stopped Robert II of Flanders "the Crusader", who was invading the Cambraisis . After the death of the emperor in 1106, his son and successor, Henry V , who had been in rebellion, decided to avenge himself on his father's partisans. Duke Henry of Lower Lorraine
1316-547: The canons, now in sufficient number, elected Simon, another canon of Laon, as their abbot. The canons performed the general work of the ministry in the district of Leuven, in opposition to the heretic Tanchelm . In 1137 the abbot was able to found Ninove Abbey . Godfrey made the Abbot of the Park and his successors his archchaplains . Simon died on 30 March 1142 and was succeeded by Philip, whose correspondence with Saint Hildegard of Bingen
1363-406: The city centre, road speed regulations prescribe 30 km/h (19 mph) 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
1410-524: The city, with a total of more than 50,000 students as of June 2024. 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). 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
1457-461: The following reviews: [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain : Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). " Abbey of the Park ". Catholic Encyclopedia . New York: Robert Appleton Company. 50°51′50″N 4°43′05″E / 50.864°N 4.718°E / 50.864; 4.718 Godfrey I of Leuven Godfrey I ( Dutch : Godfried , c. 1060 – 25 January 1139), called
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1504-618: 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
1551-503: The general seminary erected by the emperor at Leuven. In the successful revolution against the emperor, the religious returned to their abbey. Wauters was succeeded by Melchior Nysmans (1793–1810). Under the French Republic the abbey was confiscated again on 1 February 1797. At the request of the people the church was declared to be a parish church and was thus saved. The abbey was bought by a friendly layman who wished to preserve it for
1598-532: 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 . In the 18th century, the brewery Den Horn (meaning "the horn") flourished. In 1708, Sebastien Artois became
1645-570: 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). From 1835,
1692-568: The municipality is Oud-Heverlee Leuven , successor of prior clubs Daring Club Leuven and Stade Leuven . Both the men's team and 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
1739-456: The religious, in better times. One of the canons, in the capacity of parish priest, remained in or near the abbey. When Belgium was made a kingdom and religious freedom was restored, the surviving religious resumed community life and elected Peter Ottoy, then rural dean of Diest, as their superior. In 1897 the abbey undertook the foundation of a priory in Brazil. The canons of Park Abbey published
1786-503: The south, the European route E314 connects Leuven with the city of Aachen . After the municipal election on 13 October 2024, the Vooruit party strengthen its position. The governing coalition of Leuven will continue working together which consists of Vooruit (23 out of 47 seats), Groen (5 seats) and CD&V (7 seats), with Vooruit providing the mayor with Mohamed Ridouani. The opposition
1833-665: The start of the German offensive , Leuven formed part of the British Expeditionary Force 's front line and was defended by units of the 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. The new university library building
1880-404: The streets of the city were lit with gas. 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. It was also at this time that the central prison
1927-405: Was destroyed on 25 August 1914, using petrol and incendiary pastilles. Approximately 230,000 volumes were lost in the destruction, including Gothic and Renaissance manuscripts, a collection of 750 medieval manuscripts, and more than 1,000 incunabula (books printed before 1501). The German atrocities and the cultural destruction caused worldwide outrage. The burning of the city was done as
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1974-472: 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). 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
2021-513: Was built. 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. In all, about 300 civilians died. The university library
2068-566: Was imprisoned and his duchy confiscated and given to Godfrey. After Henry escaped from prison, he tried to retake his duchy and captured Aachen , but ultimately failed. In 1114, during a rift between the emperor and Pope Paschal II , Godfrey led a revolt in Germany. In 1118, the emperor and the duke were reconciled. In 1119, Baldwin VII of Flanders died heirless and Flanders was contested between several claimants, one of whom, William of Ypres , had married
2115-619: Was preserved in the Park Abbey archives. Philip and his successors enlarged the buildings and prepared the land for agriculture. At the time there a canon living in the abbey, Blessed Rabado, whose devotion to the Passion was attested by miracles. Abbot Gerard van Goetsenhoven (1414–34) had much to do with the establishment of the Catholic University of Leuven , and was also delegated by John IV, Duke of Brabant to transact state affairs with
2162-664: Was set on fire by shelling, on 16 May, and nearly a million books were lost. Given the presence of the KU Leuven , Europe's most innovative university according to Reuters, 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
2209-650: Was voted European City of Sport for 2021, highlighted by hosting the 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 semi-classic race and the Cyclocross Leuven is a cyclo-cross race held each year in January. The main football club of
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