University Library & Tower

If you want to learn more about the university library’s turbulent history and its impact on the city, you have to climb the five floors of the library tower. A photo exhibition takes you to five significant periods in the library’s history.

After the fifth floor, you reach the balcony where you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the city.

Visit the University Library in 360°

Tips

  • Everybody knows the sound of the Liberty Bell, the bass bell that weighs seven metric tons and sounds the hour every day. But there are also 63 other bells. Discover the carillon concerts, tower visits and more.
  • Download the Heritage App and discover the well and less known aspects of the building (free download at AppStore & Google Play Store.

Practical

Individual visitors

Mondays to Fridays

  • Tower visit + library with audio guide: 9:00-19:00 (last tower visit at 18:00)
  • Library with audio guide: 9:00-19:00
  • On Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon you can combine a visit to the tower with a carillon concert. During the climb you will learn more about the eventful history of the Leuven University Library and its carillon tower. A photo exhibition takes you to five striking time periods.

Saturdays, Sundays & holidays

  • Tower visit + library with audio guide: 10:00-18:00 (last tower visit at 17:00)
  • Library visit with guide (optionally followed by free visit to tower):
    • Saturday: 14:00-15:00 (Dutch)
    • Sunday: 11:30-12:30 (English)

Attention! You can only visit the Reading Room on Saturdays & Sundays

Tickets

Groups

• Only after reservation: KU Leuven

Accessibility

  • The university library is accessible to wheelchair users, visually impaired, blind and hearing impaired people.
  • The university library is accessible to wheelchair users via the entrance on the right side of the building (Blijde Inkomststraat). That entrance has a ramp and takes you into the main entrance hall with counter and lockers.
  • Lifts:
    • There is a lift to most library rooms, such as the beautiful reading room on the first floor
    • On the fifth floor, a platform lift takes you to the upper exhibition room
    • The tower has no lift
  • Exhibition
    • Wheelchair users can consult texts and images from the photo exhibition in the tower at the reception desk
    • The audio guide is available in sign language
  • There are two adapted toilets in the building
Website: KU Leuven
Address: Mgr. Ladeuzeplein 21, 3000 Leuven
T +32 (0)16 32 46 60

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