Attractions and Places To See around Bierbeek - Top 20

Very colorful in autumn...

The core of Horst Castle probably dates back to the 13th century and is characterised by a square keep. The keep probably belonged to the oldest core that was further expanded into a fortified castle in the 15th century. During the troubles under Maximilian of Austria in 1489, the castle of Horst was taken by the people of Leuven and set on fire. According to literary sources, only the keep, part of the entrance gate and a defensive wall remained standing. The residential and east wing were renovated and expanded in the 16th century. The round tower also dates from this period. The outer wall was provided with a rectangular bay window. The castle lost its military character and became more of a pleasant residential area with a view of the moat, the ponds and the inner courtyard. Brick construction with sandstone layers characterise these buildings. In 1587, however, the castle was set on fire again during the raids of the Geuzen. It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that restoration work began. It is difficult to deduce from the available sources to what extent this involved restoration or an embellishing conversion of the castle complex. Presumably nothing changed in the internal structure, but only after the structurally necessary repairs were the interiors completely refinished. Maria-Anna Van den Tympel had a new chapel built against the keep in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the complex must have been damaged by plundering and neglect, and it is possible that it also suffered from plundering during the Brabant Revolution of 1830. Around 1850, the castle must have been habitable again, but the castle buildings only served as a farm. In the land registry, the site around the castle is called "De Notelaren Boomgaerd". Around that time, the most dilapidated part must have been demolished, namely the southern part and the superstructure of the gate. The rest of the complex was probably restored with reused demolition material and in traditional style. The castle was divided in 1880, with one part being registered as a school house. In 1897, a further division followed, with two plots being designated as houses. Several restoration campaigns followed in the 20th century. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Horst Castle, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/43619

Since December, there has been a spire on the castle again after the unstable spire was removed more than four years ago and could be viewed on a wooden platform in the pond. Now it is back. And the other works are also progressing quickly. More about the replaced spire on https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/12/10/torenspits-staat-weer-op-kasteel-van-horst-holsbeek/

The Leuven town hall is usually identified with the richly decorated late Gothic wing on the Grote Markt. However, this is part of a larger complex that covers the entire block between the Grote Markt, Naamsestraat, Muntstraat and Boekhandelstraat. The various parts of the complex are arranged around a courtyard, the Vrijthof. On the east side is the oldest part of the town hall complex: the rear house, built by Sulpitius van Vorst and Jan II Keldermans between 1439 and 1445. The famous wing on the Grote Markt is the front house, built from 1448 to 1469 under the direction of Matthijs de Layens. The attached conservation house on the Naamsestraat was built in 1461. The southern half of the complex consists of more recent additions. On the Naamsestraat extends the Deanery of the Cloth Weavers, built in 1680 after the university had completely occupied the old cloth hall. The wing on the Muntstraat dates from 1938. The police station on the Grote Markt and Boekhandelstraat was built as a corps de garde in 1821-1822. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: City Hall of Leuven, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/42150

For those who have traded in their horse for a steel steed. Information boards and such on site.

Leuven's town hall is generally identified with the richly decorated late Gothic wing on the Grote Markt. However, this wing is part of a larger complex that covers the entire block between the Grote Markt, Naamsestraat, Muntstraat, and Boekhandelstraat. The various parts of the complex are arranged around a courtyard, the Vrijthof. On the east side stands the oldest part of the town hall complex: the rear house, built by Sulpitius van Vorst and Jan II Keldermans between 1439 and 1445. The famous wing on the Grote Markt is the front house, built from 1448 to 1469 under the direction of Matthijs de Layens. The attached conservatory on Naamsestraat was built in 1461. The southern half of the complex consists of more recent additions. Along Naamsestraat extends the Deanery of the Cloth Weavers, built in 1680 after the university had completely occupied the old cloth hall. The wing on Muntstraat dates from 1938. The police station on Grote Markt and Boekhandelstraat was built as a corps de garde in 1821-1822. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Leuven City Hall, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/42150

Leuven's Grote Markt is one of the oldest and most historic places in the city. The square has existed in its current form since the 14th century, when the Catholic University of Leuven was founded. Most of the buildings on the square were built in Brabant Gothic, including the monumental town hall. Other notable buildings on the Grote Markt are the Tafelrond and the Collegiate St. Peter's Church. The square is a busy tourist spot in Leuven, but is traffic-free.

The Leuven town hall is one of the most famous Gothic town halls in the world and is the pride of Leuven. The first stone was laid in 1439 and construction took thirty years under the supervision of three different master builders. The town hall is located on the Grote Markt of Leuven, opposite the late Gothic St. Peter's Church. Since the city services moved at the end of 2009, the city hall has only been used for ceremonies. The building is famous for its detailed architecture, including the 235 statues on the facade. In 2020, an agency was appointed to repurpose City Hall, and the work will continue until 2029.