Leuven, Belgium
Posted by: 
lopac44
N 50° 52.744 E 004° 42.089
31U E 619698 N 5637756
Mediavel townhall of Leuven.
Waymark Code: WMCWRZ
Location: Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Date Posted: 10/20/2011
Views: 32
Nederlands
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Het stadhuis van Leuven is een van de bekendste gotische stadhuizen ter wereld en staat op de Grote Markt van Leuven.
Dat het Brusselse stadhuis model heeft gestaan staat vast. Dit werd al in de vijftiende eeuw vermeld door de Leuvense stadsboekhouder.
Het stadhuis telt drie verdiepingen. Tussen de vensters zijn telkens twee nissen, die lichtjes uitspringen. Drie van de vier hoektorens hebben ook nissen.
De kraagstenen zijn gebeeldhouwde voorstellingen uit de bijbel. Het steeds terugkerende onderwerp is schuld en boete. Ze hadden een belerende en vermanende functie.
English
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The Town Hall (Dutch: Stadhuis (help·info)) of Leuven, Belgium, is a landmark building on that city's Grote Markt (Main Market) square, across from the monumental St. Peter's Church. Built in a Brabantine Late Gothic style between 1448 and 1469, it is famous for its ornate architecture, crafted in lace-like detail.
The Town Hall has three main stories, lined with pointed Gothic windows on the three sides visible from the Markt. Above is a gallery parapet, behind which rises a steep roof studded with four tiers of dormers. At the angles of the roof are octagonal turrets pierced with slits allowing for the passage of light.
Statues in canopied niches are distributed all over the building. The corbels supporting the statues are carved with Biblical scenes in high relief. While the niches and corbels are original with the building, the 236 statues themselves are relatively recent, dating from after 1850. Those of the first floor represent personages of importance in the local history of the city; those of the second, patron saints and symbolic figures; those of the third, the Counts of Leuven and Dukes of Brabant from various ages.
The main façade has an entrance staircase, and two portals in the center, above which are figures of Saint Peter (left) and Madonna and Child (right), the former in compliment to the patron of the church opposite.
The interior accommodates an interesting collection of artwork, including sculptures by Constantin Meunier and Jef Lambeaux. Inside can also be seen the portraits of the Leuven mayors since 1794.
Name: Townhall Leuven city
Address:
Grote markt
Leuven, Brabant Belgium
3000
Date of Construction: 1439
Architect: Jan Keldermans II.1439 - Matheus de Layens 1448 -
Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications:
The details in this building are incredible
Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link]
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