Built between 1439 and 1463 from the profits of the cloth trade, Leuven’s Stadhuis was designed to demonstrate the wealth of the city’s merchants. This tall and distinctive building is renowned for its lavishly carved and decorated facade. A line of narrow windows rises up over three floors beneath a steeply pitched roof adorned with dormer windows and pencil-thin turrets. *
However, it is in the exquisite quality of its stonework that the building excels, with delicately carved tracery and detailed medieval figures beneath 300 niche bases. There are grotesques of every description as well as representations of folktales and biblical stories, all of which are carved in an exuberant style. Within the niche alcoves are 19th-century statues depicting local dignitaries and politicians. *
*From Eyewitness Travel Guide to Belgium and Luxembourg
Imagine being able to work stone like this, Cherie!
The artwork is amazing isn’t it
After seeing all of your wonderful pictures from Leuven, one day I like to go there. what an impressive Stadhuis/townhall.
Today we are off for Brussels, Ginnie’s Grandson is with us and we like to show him ‘another country’…
I look forward to seeing the pictures from your trip to Brussels. I will be posting the ones of my day trip their soon
Oh – that’s just amazing, isn’t it?! Wow.
It took my breath away when I first saw it
So impressive!
Very
i love the front of this – the facade is completely staked!
It is a fabulous building
They really went to town with those grotesques.
Are you referring to the Biblical scenes or the statues of famous people?
Awesome architecture
It is stunning
If I were there on vacation (holiday, I should say, I guess) I could spend about 3 days just looking at this building until someone had to drag me away to look at something else:)
Do you know if this building remained untouched in WWII, Cherie, or was it damaged?
I find the addition of 19th century dignitaries interesting – the societal trend to transition from gratitude and glory of others to self- glory when we’re feeling happy and well – the equivalent of a 19th century selfie lol.
“Yes, yes, there’s Jesus and our founding fathers and all that, but you can get that anywhere – look, there’s ME, let’s talk about ME, who helped fund the renovations on this magnificent building which now includes a statue of ME”
I suppose the intent of the building was to “demonstrate the wealth of city merchants” from its inception, though, and it’s a way to sort of “give back”.
Here is a bit more information about the statues that adorn the building, they are quoted from the Town Hall guidebook:
It’s a sin that modern architecture lacks the artistry and intricacies of such marvels as these. That last pic is phenomenal ! It’s one thing I really miss about England- aside from the gardens- the architecture.
The architecture in Belgium is quite distinctive and stunning.