Welcome to the largest square in Leuven!
Behind me you can see the University Library,
but we'll get to that in a minute.
This area was originally called the 'People's Square'.
It was changed to honour the great bishop, theologist and rector, Monseigneur Ladeuze.
Unfortunately, he died two days before they changed the name after him.
Every 15 minutes, the university carillon in the Library's bell tower plays
the typical Flemish song The Reuzegom.
What a coincidence.
There it is now!
This famous piece of art called the Totem
is created by famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre.
The university recently gifted this work to the city of Leuven.
The beetle symbolises nature's memory
and the piece correlates to the pursuit of knowledge
which is found in the University Library,
representing the collective memory of mankind.
If you walk around it, it actually changes colour!
Now let's go and explore the history behind this grand building.
Follow me!