Tongeren and Leuven

Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium and attracts visitors with its antique flea market, offering a great variety of items. Tongeren Flea Markt is an extraordinary place-diverse, big, international and very nice to visit and to find valuable antiques.

I visited Tongeren mainly with the intention to see the big antique Flea market in Europe.I had a long walk here and had a wonderful time.

I was very much surprised by the size of the market and spent several hours around taking pictures and admiring things, displayed around the whole city, even in the underground parking.

Right in the center is the Basilica Notre Dame de Tongeres, the tallest building in Tongeren, constructed in 13^th century in a Gothic style. The interior is also interesting with many sculptures and paintings. Just behind the basilica is the Galo-Roman museum, which is also worth visiting.

Close to the basilica is the Grote Markt, the main square of Tongeren. In the middle is the monument of Ambriorix, the leader of the Gallic warriors who fight against the Romans and defeated the Roman troops.

As a guarantee of a successful trip, I sat in a cafe opposite the church and admired the majestic architecture, impressive façade and enjoyed the warm spring day.  

A great attraction for me was to visit the Begijnhof founded in 1257 and Unesco World Heritage Site. The architecture complex was built to host the beguines, religious women who lived in a community.

The complex included several houses built around a small chapel. The Begijnhof was surrounded by a wall and separated from the rest of the town.

The experience of walking around the town was very interesting, especially fulfilled by the enthusiastic visitors seeking for hidden treasures.

My next stop in Flanders was the lovely, old University city of Leuven. The dynamic and picturesque city has one of the most beautiful city centers in Belgium and has several attractions to offer for every taste.

I like culture and old historical buildings and I was really impressed by the big dimensions of the university library and the bell tower. 

The building looks old but was built in after the First World War because the old building was destroyed.  I did not have time to visit the library and do the guided tour but the building and its design brings a special charm to the entire square.

Not far away is the Great Market (Grote Market) many people come here to see the Town hall. This is the most beautiful building in Leuven and my favorite place, surrounded by stunning buildings.

The façade is richly decorated with statues (236!) and several towers. Really stunning and inspiring architecture.

I personally love so much the Flemish Gothic Architecture and really enjoyed the square and the buildings. The square is surrounded by many pubs and restaurants and of course chocolate shops. I just admired the views around and took a drink and a meal in one of the restaurants.

The small statue Font Sapientiae is very funny and sometimes clothes are put on the boy. The statue of a boy drinking beer and learning is unofficial symbol of the students in Leuven.

Leuven has a rich beer culture and The Old Market is called the longest bar in Europe. The square is very beautiful, surrounded by many old buildings and the atmosphere is just amazing. Here I found more bars, tables and chairs than pedestrians.  This is definitely the best place to taste many different beers and to feel the Flemish brewery tradition.

At the end of the day I also went to the marvelous Grote Begijnhof, really tranquil place with beautiful cobble streets, small houses and serene atmosphere. The well preserved historical quarter is a UNESCO site and is situated on the both parts of the river and has the appearance of a small town. The buildings cannot be visited but the atmosphere is very charming, a nice place to take a stroll and enjoy.