Life at the University: From Its Foundation to the Present Day

From Erasmus to the Big Bang: six centuries of KU Leuven

You probably already knew that Leuven is home to the oldest university in the Low Countries. But did you know that Erasmus founded Europe’s first “modern” college here? Or that the Big Bang theory was developed by the Leuven priest and professor Georges Lemaître?

We’ll tell you all this and much more on this fascinating walk through the rich history of our university. We’ll take you past well-known colleges and introduce you to their remarkable residents: Erasmus, Gerard Mercator, Pope Adrian VI, Jan-Pieter Minckelers, Georges Lemaître and Pieter De Somer. They are just a few of the legendary Leuven thinkers and scientists who have left their mark on society.

You’ll also discover everyday life at the medieval university, the uproar caused by the first female students, and the hard-won advances of science... Experience it all on this walk through six centuries of Leuven university life.

Main stops:

Cloth Hall, Hogeschoolplein, Pope’s College, colleges on Naamsestraat (Holy Spirit, Premonstratensian, Van Dale, Arras...), De Valk, Central University Library