University Library in Leuven, Belgium - Funded by American Universities [story]
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=link}
I live just a few blocks away from this beautiful university library building and when I walk past it, I always notice these carvings in the walls that show the names of US universities.
During the First World War, this building was completely destroyed by the German army and news of that destruction made it all the way to the US. I'm sure it was part of an ongoing propaganda effort to get the US involved in combat on the European mainland.
Source: The Rape of Belgium
The current building was designed by American architect Whitney Warren and erected between 1921 and 1928. Since most of its original collection of books were destroyed, a lot of their current books were donated by other libraries from around the world. It currently holds both modern works and also some valuable historic manuscripts.
Below you'll see some of the engravings that were made to honor the US support in funding the contruction of this new building. These photographs were taken by me, when I was walking to the store late at night.
Sadly, the library was again destroyed on the 16th of May 1940, during a British-German exchange of artillery fire. Since the town of Leuven was almost entirely evacuated at this point, there were no witnesses and the destruction was shrouded in mystery. The library was again fully rebuilt by 1951, resembling the original design on 1928.
I see this building almost every day and during Christmas time, it's always beautifully decorated with lights. In front of the library, there a huge open square, where the local market is located every Friday. In the middle of this square, there's also a sculpture of a beetle being pierced by a needle.
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=link}
I really enjoy walking past this building, especially at night during the weekends. Since Leuven is a student town, there are almost no people on the streets in the weekend at night. You can cross the entire square without encountering a single person sometimes. At those times, the university library looks very impressing.
I really hope that this building will survive for many more years to come, since it has a tendency to burn down once in a while. Well, as long as World War 3 doesn't break out, I think it'll be fine. I sure hope that doesn't happen any time soon.
That is a pretty cool building. Such a shame that it had to go through what it has. I guess that just gives it character and goes to show that we really do value knowledge even though sometimes it doesn't seem like we do.
Yeah, Its my favourite building in this town. Both world wars really wrecked this place, such a shame.
I can see why you would like walking past it such a beautiful building with such a redoubled history I am glad to see it is rebuilt and standing proud today
Have a great day
Beautiful library (the first photo?)! It is strange (but good) that they chose to build it in an old style, some of the post-war architecture can be a bit hideous!
That has to be the weirdest sculpture I've ever seen....
Yeah, I have no idea why it picked that other photo as the featured image. Indeed the sculpture is pretty weird indeed!
That's such a beautiful building. But what a horrible sculpture! Why would anyone want a sculpture depicting cruelty to a small creature in a place like that?
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by Daan from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
Thank you so much for participating the Partiko Delegation Plan Round 1! We really appreciate your support! As part of the delegation benefits, we just gave you a 3.00% upvote! Together, let’s change the world!
What a beautiful building!! You got some great shots of it. :D
That beetle statue is weird. I wonder what the sculptor was thinking when he/she created it...
Hi @daan!
Your post was upvoted by @steem-ua, new Steem dApp, using UserAuthority for algorithmic post curation!
Your UA account score is currently 3.930 which ranks you at #3980 across all Steem accounts.
Your rank has improved 173 places in the last three days (old rank 4153).
In our last Algorithmic Curation Round, consisting of 251 contributions, your post is ranked at #53.
Evaluation of your UA score:
Feel free to join our @steem-ua Discord server
Most interesting indeed @daan, I can see why you enjoy walking past this building, how sad that the original one was destroyed but the new design is beautiful as well!
Congratulations! This post has been chosen as one of the daily Whistle Stops for The STEEM Engine!
You can see your post's place along the track here: The Daily Whistle Stops, Issue 364 (01/07/19)