Universiteitsbibliotheek

Description

The "Centrale Bibliotheek of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven" in #Leuven (Vlaams-Brabant) was founded in 1636. Originally housed in the Universiteitshal, it was later expanded in the 18th century. In 1914, German troops burned the library, destroying about 230,000 books. The library was rebuilt after World War I with American support in Flemish neo-renaissance style. Designed by Whitney Warren, the building's foundation stone was laid in 1921, and it was inaugurated in 1928. The construction was marked by financial struggles and diplomatic tensions regarding inscriptions commemorating the war.