Hi, do you mind if I ask you a question?
– No, go ahead.
How old do you think this building is?
I read something about it.
No, that might have been Leuven City Hall... 1480 or 90
I don't know. – About, let's say, six hundred years old.
Six hundred years!
Would you be surprised if I told you that this building isn't even a 100 years old?
No kidding! Seriously?
Yeah!
This is the central library of the University of Leuven.
Despite its looks, this magnificent building is
not even a hundred years old. Let me tell you why.
The first Central Library was located in the University Hall on the 'Oude Markt'.
Unfortunately, the Germans demolished it during the First World War.
The library was set on fire due to the violent resistance
from the people of Leuven during the war.
Ten years after the war, the Americans were so shocked by this event,
that they gave Leuven a new library
It was architect Whitney Warren, who decided that he wanted to build a new historic icon.
You can still see the 136 memorial stones commemorating
the generous donations given by various universities of the United States.
Did you know that there were no libraries at all, back in the day?
If you were a student and you wanted to read a book
you had to borrow it piece by piece from the professor or the monastery.
Thank God for the Internet!
Ah, listen! There!
It's the carillon.
All right, let's go to the next spot!