1 00:00:02,260 --> 00:00:06,158 You can only appreciate this place by talking about it in all its colourful glory. 2 00:00:06,392 --> 00:00:10,407 Let's first explore the story of Croÿ, Moneo and the Celestines. 3 00:00:13,331 --> 00:00:19,139 The story begins with William of Croÿ, a powerful man engaged in pan-European politics. 4 00:00:19,334 --> 00:00:23,024 In the early 16th century, he founded a Celestine Monastery here. 5 00:00:23,124 --> 00:00:28,840 In the mid-16th century, this priory, along with almost all the other male religious houses in Leuven, 6 00:00:28,940 --> 00:00:31,457 was incorporated into the university. 7 00:00:31,691 --> 00:00:36,524 It thus acquired various privileges, but it also came under the supervision of the rector. 8 00:00:36,624 --> 00:00:42,580 16th century scandals, the wars of religion and the suppression of priories in the 18th century – 9 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,698 you name it, this monastery went through it. 10 00:00:45,892 --> 00:00:47,439 During the French Revolution, 11 00:00:47,621 --> 00:00:52,896 French soldiers battered down the door to plunder the monastery and destroy the building completely. 12 00:00:53,247 --> 00:00:58,900 It wasn't until the 20th century that peace returned to this place when KU Leuven acquired the site. 13 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:04,304 Nevertheless, it took until the year 2000 for the monastery's former glory to be restored. 14 00:01:04,404 --> 00:01:10,330 The leading Spanish architect Moneo combined old and new, creating a unique space to house 15 00:01:10,430 --> 00:01:14,465 the library of the Science, Engineering and Technology Campus. 16 00:01:14,565 --> 00:01:19,740 This is currently one of the biggest and most modern scientific libraries on the European continent. 17 00:01:19,948 --> 00:01:22,911 Take a look inside, it is definitely worth a detour!