My planning for a lovely day in Leuven went out the window when I stepped off the train and saw race registration. I had my running gear in Liege because I was signed up for a 7k race on Sunday, but could I add a second race? I quickly learned the 10k, half, and marathon were part of an elite race circuit, so no. The anticipated finish time for the half marathon (21.1k) was an hour, about the length of time it took me to do the 7k.
I next noticed the outdoor market leading up the street from the train station towards ... St. Peter's Church and Town Hall, which are around the corner from the information center. Other than drooling over the cheap eggs, I was able to enjoy the scene without wanting to spend money.The tourist office suggested seeing Great Beguinage first, followed by the botanical garden, the church, the university library, and if my energy holds out go to the abbey. Everything is easily walking distance. They even marked a paper map for me.
The Great Beguinage was built in the 13th century as a safe place for women to live. Not quite a nunnery, but a walled off area where women would be protected. They could work and have lives. It became a UNESCO site in 1998. Today students and professors from the university live in the homes. They are clearly preserved and gentrified. The area feels like an oasis from the hustle bustle of the city. I noticed other tourists taking pictures, and the occasional resident furtively darting from our cameras and cell phones. It had the air of Colonial Williamsburg without the shops and costumed reenactors, just well preserved brick homes on streets without cars. It was a beguinage up until 1980, even though the university purchased it in 1967.
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I took some black and white pictures
to capture the classic locations |
Along the way to the Botanical Garden I stepped inside the Church of St. Anthony only because it caught my eye and it was free. When you first walk inside you have the option of going upstairs to the sanctuary or downstairs to a tomb. I looked at both. I loved how the light was streaming in the stained glass windows that time of day.
As promised, the Botanical Garden was an easy stroll. I love that this was created to study medicine. It is not a large garden. I noticed friends gathering to hold picnics in the shade. It was another blue sky day. I was really happy they had a free public bathroom. We were spoiled on our trips to New Zealand and Australia in that clean, free, public restrooms are ubiquitous. Not so here where they make it easy to pay the euro (or more) fee by allowing you to pay by credit card.
I stepped into the cathedral. I did not research where to order the hololens. I forgot about this option until I saw people using iPads and VR glasses to study the artwork. If there was a sign at the entrance, it was discreet. I did see the spots where I was supposed to stand to get the full experience. It is a neat idea. Maybe I'll do it in a different church someday. Across the square is the Town Hall. It is expected to reopen in 2029. The outside with over 200 statues is outstanding.
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