Although its name might suggest otherwise
'Collegio Americano' is not used exclusively by American students.
But to understand why, we have to explore its history.
In the late 19th century, two American bishops hatched a plan
to handle the shortage of priests in the United States.
They knew that the theology programmes here at the University of Leuven were excellent.
So they decided to found a special seminary here.
Graduating priests would then be ready to enter into active pastoral service in the United States.
Their plan worked and the college became extremely popular.
So popular in fact that they had to purchase the adjacent buildings in order to make more space.
The whole complex survived both world wars unscathed and in the fifties it was
able to return to its original function as if nothing had happened.
KU Leuven acquired the college in its entirety some years ago.
The college was renovated and converted into a student hall of residence for both Belgian and international students.
O say can you see,
by the dawn's early light,
The Aulne Room is named after the college that was here
and served as the House of Refuge of the Aulne Abbey.
During the French Revolution, however, this college was abolished.
In any case, the Native Americans in this building are still in great shape,
so the American feeling is bound to last for many years to come.
And now we're off to our next stop.