The University Library is one of the landmarks of the inner city of Leuven. The building was designed by the American architect Whitney Warren. He was also the architect of Grand Central Terminal in New York. For the architectural style of the library, Warren looked for inspiration to the Renaissance of the Low Countries, which is why its style is referred to as Neo-Renaissance. A characteristic feature of this building style is the alternation of two layers: red bricks and cream-colored sandstone (locally also called “bacon layers”). From the outset, the University library was designed as a memorial to the Great War. The sculptures and the reliefs on the façade all refer to the terror of August 1914 as well as the solidarity among the Allied Forces during the war and the reconstruction. Let’s look at the façade in more detail, starting at the uppermost level. At the top of the central gable you see a bas-relief depicting the fire that raged in the old University Hall in 1914. Right below it you see the Leuven city arms. Next, further downward, you can see an image of the Madonna wearing a helmet and harness. She pierces the Prussian eagle with her sword and embodies the allied victory. She is flanked by Saint George with the dragon and Saint Michael with the devil, English and French dragon slayers who symbolize the victory of good over evil. Above the three balconies in the middle of the façade, you can see the busts of the then King Albert I, on the right his wife Queen Elisabeth and on his left crown prince Leopold. They represent Belgian patriotism. Don’t forget to look at the animals on the stepped gables on the sides of the building. They serve as symbols of the Allied Forces. Perhaps you recognize the American eagle, the Roman she-wolf for Italy, a Belgian lion, the Scottish unicorn for the United Kingdom, the French rooster, the Japanese lion of Foo, a Serbian eagle, the Russian bear, a Rumanian lion and a Portuguese dragon. This library comes with a bell tower on top. Just take a careful look at the tower and try to detect as many of its details as possible. Inside you will soon learn more about the bell tower.

Now walk back to the library and enter through the sliding doors. Next, turn left and enter the corridor. At the end of the corridor you’ll see a scale model of the tower. This is also the next stop of this tour.

Would you like to listen to the walking instructions once again? Press A.

A