University Hall, Gothic university building in Naamsestraat, Leuven, Belgium
University Hall is a Gothic building on Naamsestraat that started as a cloth hall and later became part of the university. Its facade features sand-lime brick construction with Gothic elements and a Baroque entrance topped by a decorative cartouche.
The building was constructed in 1317 as a cloth hall and joined the University of Leuven in 1425. German forces damaged it in 1914, after which it was rebuilt.
The building hosts regular academic ceremonies and doctoral defenses that show how deeply it is woven into university life today. These gatherings have made it a center of scholarly tradition for centuries.
The building houses administrative offices, a university shop, and a coffee bar available to visitors. Keep in mind that access may be limited during academic events or ceremonies held on the premises.
The foundation plaque from 1317 is one of the oldest known inscriptions in Dutch language and credits Master Jan Stevens as the builder. This inscription reveals how long this structure has been part of history and its connection to the origins of the Dutch written word.
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