Leuven, about fish, beer, the wisdom of the Dominicans and the care of the Augustinian nuns

De Mechelsestraat is today largely a pedestrian shopping street and without the slightest doubt one of the most authentic streets in Leuven. Historically, this street was called Vismarkt de Schipstraat; it was the gateway to the harbor on the Vismarkt and of vital importance to the city. It is not surprising that quite a few buildings refer to fish and skippers. From the Vismarkt , the name changed to Borchstraat. Important artists lived here, such as the painter Quinten Metsijs, the lime carver Jan-Christiaan Hansche, and the painter Pieter-Jozef Verhaeghen. The cradle of Stella Artois also stood in this street. Both streets together once counted about 50 cafes/breweries. Het Klein Begijnhof is an oasis of understated tranquility. On the ducal island, the counts of Leuven built their second castle and, at the beginning of the 13th century, the Dominicans built their influential monastery. Which relics still refer to this today? Also at the beginning of the 13th century, the first Leuven hospital was built within the city wall, today known as Romaanse Poort. The area on the ducal site would grow into the gigantic complex of the medical faculty of KU Leuven. Today, a site in complete transformation. Included : guide all day, use of own audio phone system, lunch, 1 drink