University Library & Bell Tower
University Library & Bell Tower
University Library & Bell Tower
4.5
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4.5
573 reviews
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SMLikestoTravel
Bengaluru, India391 contributions
May 2023 • Family
This is a tourist trap IMHO. No doubt, the university building looks very good and offers good photo opportunities from the square outside. But the entry ticket to view the library is not worth it. You cannot walk down the aisle and see the books up close. And with good reason - as there are students busy studying. The library is pretty modern so best to set expectations accordingly and not expect something like Hogwarts library 😀. To be fair, the ticket allows you to climb up the bell tower but we chose not to do so. So that might affect our experience and this review.
Written 11 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA18,433 contributions
May 2023
If you are in town this is a must. The library is modern so it lacks the charm of old Europe. But if you climb the tower you will find a very good museum of the wars and how the library was destroyed twice. And then on top the views are superb and you get to understand what the town has to offer.
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces34758328383
13 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
The architecture of the building immediately stands out, which although re-erected after the war feels both modern and historic.
The highlight of my visit was the viewpoint. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of Leuven and the surrounding areas. The opportunity to admire the city from such a height makes it absolutely worthwhile.
The atmosphere in the building reminded me of the dark times of the First and Second World Wars.
The emancipation of Flanders is also tangible in this city.
The highlight of my visit was the viewpoint. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of Leuven and the surrounding areas. The opportunity to admire the city from such a height makes it absolutely worthwhile.
The atmosphere in the building reminded me of the dark times of the First and Second World Wars.
The emancipation of Flanders is also tangible in this city.
Automatically translated
Written 16 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HARTONO T
Medan, Indonesia961 contributions
Jun 2022
This huge building with millions book collection is another landmak of Leuven. To visit the library and tower you need to pay for a fee. A huge plaza in front of the library with no obstruction is the best place to take pictures. The surrounding area is restaurants. The building architecture is fabulous. A very place to sit at evening just to admire the huge grand design building.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
My girlfriend and I had high hopes for Leuven library, a historic and picturesque establishment. We paid €4 for entry, which is cheap and seems good value. Upon entry to the main library, we were shocked to find that tourists were limited to about 10 square feet of space and one encased book. Incredibly little to see for a library that has so much to offer. What a disappointment!
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristieCC13
Liege, Belgium408 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
GORGEOUS !
It’s a must-see place in Leuven.
We had access to the library and the tower thanks to the Visit Leuven pass (which is really interesting).
The library is majestic, especially for reading lovers... I was in heaven!
The top of the tower is also worth the detour (however, be careful for people with fear of heights... You have 300 steps and the staircase is quite impressive). At each level, you learn the history of the library and this tower. Which is very interesting. The view of the city, once you reach the top, is magnificent.
It’s a must-see place in Leuven.
We had access to the library and the tower thanks to the Visit Leuven pass (which is really interesting).
The library is majestic, especially for reading lovers... I was in heaven!
The top of the tower is also worth the detour (however, be careful for people with fear of heights... You have 300 steps and the staircase is quite impressive). At each level, you learn the history of the library and this tower. Which is very interesting. The view of the city, once you reach the top, is magnificent.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hybrideke
Leuven, Belgium50 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
The university library is located on the Mgr. Ladeuzeplein. When you bump into beetle Totem (basically a huge bug on a needle) you are on the correct square. It is fun to sit on one of the benches, watch people pass by and enjoy the view of this impressive building. It isn't only beautiful on the outside, but you must visit the inside as well. If you are lucky you can catch an exhibition or see the diligent students in the reading room. When you do go inside, don't forget to climb the tower. There is no elevator, so you have to climb your way up 289 steps. On the balcony you have a nice view of the city and its historical/modern buildings, the brewery, ...
Tip: buy an ILUVLeuven ticket so you can enter the town hall, university library (+ tower), M-Museum and treasury of Saint Peter for only 16 euro.
Tip: buy an ILUVLeuven ticket so you can enter the town hall, university library (+ tower), M-Museum and treasury of Saint Peter for only 16 euro.
Written 18 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globetrotter045
Haacht, Belgium5,401 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
This new exhibition tells the fascinating history of the library during world war I and II. The library was burned down twice!
It is a lot of stairs, but you can catch your breath on each floor, where a part of the story is told.
And finally from the tower balcony you have a great panoramic view of Leuven. With your ticket you receive a small leaflet which indicate the most important buidlings and landmarks.
All the panels with information are in 4 languages: Dutch, French, English and German.
When I visited you could not buy tickets at the entrance of the libray, but you had to get them first at the M-museum or the tourist office.
And be aware when you are on the balcony, you are standing near the clocks. So when they strike the hour, cover your ears!
It is a lot of stairs, but you can catch your breath on each floor, where a part of the story is told.
And finally from the tower balcony you have a great panoramic view of Leuven. With your ticket you receive a small leaflet which indicate the most important buidlings and landmarks.
All the panels with information are in 4 languages: Dutch, French, English and German.
When I visited you could not buy tickets at the entrance of the libray, but you had to get them first at the M-museum or the tourist office.
And be aware when you are on the balcony, you are standing near the clocks. So when they strike the hour, cover your ears!
Written 28 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sann Rene
Brussels, Belgium130 contributions
Oct 2019
I take visitors to Leuven all the time, but I've never actually been in the University Library and Bell Tower so we took the time to do this when family was visiting from the USA. You can get an audio guide that will tell you all about the history of this amazing library, and discover the important role the USA played in it's recovery from the world wars. Please do include the bell tower visit, there are displays at every level on the way up and the view from the top is worth the effort. I highly recommend you go on a work week day, the stairway to the tower is tiny so best to do this out of major tourist times.
Written 12 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kruzer59
14 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We took the tour, and we were glad we did. Learning that the U.S. helped rebuild this magnificent structure twice after the war made me proud to be an American. That's not always easy to do, but this library is a gem in the heart of Leuven. Great for families, war history buffs, and architecture lovers.
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, is there lift available? Or just stairs? Thanks in advance.
Written 17 July 2020
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