Ladeuse Square

Ladeuse Square is an area in the heart of the city of Leuven. The square was named after the former rector of the Catholic University of Leuven, Monsignor Paul Ladeuse. The square is the largest in Leuven. Before the Second World War, this square was called the “People’s Place”.

Among the local population, the square was called “Clarissa”. The name comes from a religious order that had a monastery on the site of the square when nothing was built here. The first building on the square was erected in 1812. The place became known as Napoleon Square. Later, the square was renamed several times, and as a result it received its modern name.

In 2005, when the Catholic University of Leuven celebrated its 575th anniversary, the famous artist Jan Fabre decided to thank the city for its hospitality and created a sculpture called Totem, which is still located on the square.

The main building of the square can be called the library of the Catholic University. It was originally burned by the Germans in 1914, after which it was restored in 1921-28. The library tower, 87 meters high, has 48 bells.