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Beguinages are very typical for Flemish cities. They are complexes of little houses around a square and  were created at the time of the crusades to house the widows of the crusaders. Later, they turned into an alternative female community system for women who wanted to lead a monastic life of prayer and service without being tied to a monastery with strict vows. These women became known as 'Beguines'.
The Leuven Beguinage was founded in 1232 for ladies and girls from the city and the surrounding area. It was closed in 1796 by the French occupants, but shortly afterwards it was re-opened. By 1962, the original function had long since ended and the entire complex was bought by the university of Leuven. Professor Raymond Lemaire started an important renovation campaign. The old 16th and 17th century houses were transformed into modern flats for students and academic staff.  Even after the transformation the Beguinage kept its original look as a city within the city. Most houses are still in brick and are decorated with a little garden on the outside. In-between the houses are cobble stone streets. The Beguinage church, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist has also been renovated. The church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries in Gothic style. The plain and austere exterior contrasts heavily with the lush Baroque interior that comes mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries. During renovations, wall paintings from the 14th and 17th centuries were discovered. Inside the church are about 90 tombstones of priests and beguines.

THE 'TAFELROND'
(Grote Markt)

Between the Saint Peter's Church and the town hall a medieval-looking building can be spotted. It's the 'Tafelrond'. This neogothic replica of a 15th century guild hall is now used as the Leuven branch of the Belgian National Bank. It was built in 1927 after the original one had been destroyed during the First World War. 

THE LIBRARY
(Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein)

Another newly constructed 'old' building is the City Library at the Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein. The impressive building in Flemish Renaissance style was constructed between 1921 and 1928. It was designed by the American architects Warren and Wetmore and built thanks to donations of American Colleges and Universities. It replaces the former university library which used to be in the university halls in the Naamsestraat. The library had been destroyed in 1914. The present building also suffered damage during a fire in 1940. Numerous important tomes were lost forever (also the Papal document  for the creation of the Leuven University in 1425). In the high-rising tower  is a 'beiaard' (set of bells) that was donated by the Americans.

 SAINT MICHAELS CHURCH
(Naamsestraat)

This former Jesuit church was erected as from 1650 by the Antwerp Jesuit Willem Hesius. The church was finished in 1671 and consecrated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. After the order of Jesuits had been abolished by Pope Clement XIV in 1773, the church became the parish church of Saint Michael. In 1944, the church was almost completely demolished. Only the facade survived. The nave of the church was rebuilt after the war. The facade draws its inspiration from the Gesu-church in Rome, and is one of the Baroque masterpieces of Belgium. The interior of the church is reminiscent of the Gothic style but the decoration is unmistakably Baroque. There is a set of beautifully sculptured wooden confessionals and a communal bench. The pulpit, made in 1765 by Du Roy, comes from the Saint Michael and Saint Gudula cathedral in Brussels.

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