Now that you're here, try to find the statue of Mary with the infant Jesus on her lap.
I'll tell you the story about it in a minute...
First look at your screen.
Have you seen these blue signs hanging up in front of the city's buildings?
On the right of each sign you will see the seal of KU Leuven, called the 'Sedes Sapientiae'.
Can you now see the similarity?
Translated from Latin, Sedes Sapientiae, meaning "the Seat of Wisdom",
represents Mary as the patron saint of the university.
The original statue was actually built in the 12th century.
But this one was commissioned three centuries later
to be bigger and better than the first. Unfortunately, it was demolished in World War II.
But thankfully it was restored
and it has been more popular than ever.
Today, she is still being worshipped.
Although the statue itself isn't carried around anymore, every year on the second of February,
a procession of professors marches through the city to honour this patron saint.
They of course pass by the statue, after which they proceed to the University Hall,
where the new honorary doctorates are awarded.
Need I say more? This statue is extremely ingrained in the history of the university.