This is the magnificent façade of King's College.
You wouldn't think it from the name,
but starting in the 19th century this college played a crucial role in the study of biology.
This place hasn't always been focused on animals.
The college was founded in the 16th century by King Philip II of Spain, hence the name,
and was originally a seminary for the formation of priests.
However, it fell into decline in the 18th century.
– "With great hesitation, I wrote to Professor Van Beneden..."
Darwin wrote in his autobiography.
He was referring to Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden,
a zoologist and then curator of the Zoological Museum.
He was also a world-famous researcher.
After the tumultuous French Revolution, the college was eventually returned to the university.
The zoological collection was moved here in the beginning of the 19th century
and included this impressive skeleton of a bowhead whale
... and the coelacanth,
an aquatic animal that illustrates the evolutionary transition from water to land.
History was written here, first by Professor Van Beneden
and later by researchers such as Canon de Dorlodot,
whose discoveries paved the way for the ground-breaking genetics research
here at KU Leuven.
An interesting fact: when the whale was brought through the town of Leuven
it's said that it left a stench that lingered for hours!