The Seven Ancient Wonders of Leuven
In his seminal 1895 work, “Louvain dans le passé et dans le présent”, Edward Van Even recounts the seven ancient wonders of Leuven. Inspired by the 19th-century romantic idea of attributing extraordinary features to historical cities, these wonders were meant to enhance Leuven's venerable image, similar to the concept of the seven hills on which great cities were built.
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De Levenden gaen onder de dooden (The Living Pass Under the Dead): This wonder refers to the historical St. Michele’s Gate, once located on Tiensestraat. A part of the church was constructed above the gate, so pedestrians walking through it passed beneath the resting places of those buried in the church. Both the gate and the church were demolished in 1781.
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De menschen gaan onder de wortels der boomen (The People Pass Under the Roots of the Tree): Near the former Tervuren Gate stood a bulwark with elm trees growing above its arch. Passersby walked beneath the trees, creating the illusion of walking under their roots. This gate was removed in 1829.
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Den autaer buiten de kerk (The Altar Outside the Church): The façade of what is now St. Michele Church on Naamsestraat, formerly the Jesuit Church, was designed to resemble a 17th-century altar. Architect Guillaume Hesius crafted this distinctive design, and the church was constructed between 1656 and 1666.
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De klock buiten den toren (The Bell Outside the Tower): In 1478, master bell founder Jean van Henegauwe from Mechelen created a new bell for the St. James Church. To ensure its sound was clearer, it was placed outside the tower.
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De toren zonder negels (The Tower Without Nails): The tower of St. Gertrude’s Church, built in the 15th century by Brussels architect Jean van Ruysbroec, was notable for its lacy, openwork stone spire, which was not covered with slates. According to legend, dwarves built the spire.
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De toren lager dan de kerk (The Tower Lower Than the Church): In the 17th century, a small wooden tower above the sacristy of the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites, located at the junction of Tiensestraat and Vlamingenstraat, was no higher than the church roof. After the convent was abolished in 1783, the building was sold and demolished in 1808. Today, this wonder is remembered in the tabernacle tower of St. Peter’s Church.
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Additions et observations supplementaires: Van Even also noted that when St. Gertrude’s Lock on the Dijle River was closed, the water would flow in the opposite direction. This phenomenon was once considered one of the seven wonders. It was associated with the legend of Saint Fiere Margriet (Proud Margaret), who, after her murder, was said to have floated upstream back to the city.
Source: Leuven Anno2005, Uitgeverij Lannoo, Tielt, Belgium),
photo by Aslı Tezcan.
