Discover Five Beautiful Parks in Leuven
Exploring Leuven’s Hidden Green Gems
Leuven, a city known for its vibrant academic and cultural scene, also boasts an array of serene green spaces that offer a peaceful escape from urban life. From historic parks and charming abbey grounds to lush forests and tranquil ponds, each of these natural havens provides a unique glimpse into the city’s rich heritage and scenic beauty.
1- Het Stads Park-Sint-Donatus Park (The city park)
Sint-Donatus Park, also known as the Gildenhof (or Gillenhof in the Leuven dialect), is more than just a green oasis in the heart of the city. In the 15th century, this garden was used by shooting guilds for bow and arrow practice. Constructed in the late 19th century, the park still retains a charming, bourgeois ambiance. It features a leafy avenue with benches, making it a perfect spot for leisurely strolls. The remnants of the city’s first wall add a historical touch, and the central tower has even been transformed into a small castle.
The park is also home to a bronze bust of Albert Giraud, the French-speaking symbolist writer. Giraud, known by his pseudonym Albert Kayenbergh (1860-1929), gained fame for his collection Pierrot Lunaire (1884), which inspired Arnold Schönberg’s groundbreaking atonal composition. Giraud’s work earned him international acclaim and a lasting legacy.
2. The Park Abbey
Just a short distance from the city center, Park Abbey is an ideal retreat for fresh air and relaxation. Surrounding the Premonstratensian abbey, which took on its current form around 1700, is a sprawling nature reserve with four large ponds, walking paths, and streams.
The site also houses the Braxatorium Parcensis brewery, known for its high-quality beers, with the Libertus 900 (9%) being a standout. Near the ponds, the sound artwork Silentii, created by the Alamire Foundation, plays fragments of polyphony every five minutes. The abbey’s cemetery includes graves of notable figures, including politician Gaston Geens and cabaret singer Zjef Vanuytsel.
The Baroque interiors of the abbey, especially the library with its stunning stucco ceilings by Jan Christian Hansche (circa 1675), are a highlight. Access to this serene environment, where a small group of clergy still resides, is available through the Parcum museum.
3. The Arenberg Park
The former domain of the Dukes of Arenberg, located on the city’s edge, was transformed into a campus for applied sciences during the interwar period. The 16th-century castle now trains engineers and architects, while the skyline is dominated by the IMEC headquarters, a hub for world-class research in microelectronics and nanotechnology.
Duke Engelbert of Arenberg, who was blinded in a hunting accident, financed early experiments with hot air balloons, light gas, and steam engines around 1780. The Romanesque St. Lambertus Chapel, restored in 1965 by Professor Lemaire, stands among the greenery, adding a touch of historical charm.
4. The ponds of Bellefroid
A hidden gem, the 20-hectare green zone between Vaart and Sportschuur in Wilsele offers tranquility and nature. Purchased by the city in 2019, the site features two shallow ponds where the Bellefroid family raised carp for the Jewish community in Antwerp since the 1940s. The area, once used for matchwood production, has been reclaimed by nature. Walking paths provide access to this site, which includes protected areas for wildlife and freely accessible regions for visitors.
5. The Heverleebos and the Meerdaalwoud
A major natural asset for Leuven is its proximity to one of Flanders’ most beautiful forest areas, located south of the city. The Heverlee Forest and Meerdaalwoud together span over 20 square kilometers of lush, diverse nature. These forests, remnants of the ancient Coal Forest mentioned by Julius Caesar in De Bello Gallico, are distinguished by their unique soil and topography. Historical features include a Roman highway trench and forest laws from the 16th century.
The area boasts majestic avenues created by the Lie de Croy family and the Dukes of Arenberg. Former military ‘blasting pits’ from World War ammunition are also present. Walking and cycling routes make exploration easy, although the forest’s expanse can still be quite enchanting and disorienting.
Author Yves Petry, who features the Meerdaalwoud in his novels under the name 'Mirandel,' describes the forest as a place where one feels liberated from modern life's constraints.
Source: MIN, Eric, LEUVEN ,( Een gids voor thuisblijvers en passanten), Luster, 2023. Photos by Aslı Tezcan
