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The Leuven central market, located in the Grote Markt in the heart of Leuven, Belgium, is a bustling and picturesque square that is steeped in history and culture. The square is dominated by two striking landmarks - the imposing Cathedral of St Peter and the elaborately carved facade of the town hall.
The Cathedral of St Peter is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, with its intricate spires, ornate carvings and soaring arches. Built in the 15th century, the cathedral is renowned for its beautiful stained-glass windows and exquisite artwork.
The town hall, located adjacent to the cathedral, is a magnificent building that dates back to the 15th century. The facade of the building is adorned with intricate carvings and statues, and the interior boasts a grand staircase, ornate rooms and a collection of historic artifacts.
Surrounding the square are a number of cafes and restaurants, providing a perfect spot to relax and soak up the ambiance of this historic town. Many of the cafes offer outdoor seating, allowing visitors to enjoy the sunshine and people-watch as they sip on a coffee or sample some of the local cuisine.
Many sporting events such as triathalons and marathons will start and end in the square. The events add to the vibrant atmosphere of the square, with cheering crowds and enthusiastic athletes providing a lively backdrop to the historic surroundings.
In addition to the central market, the city of Leuven is home to a large concentration of impressive buildings and cultural landmarks, including the Groot Begijnhof old town area dating back to the 13th century. It is no wonder that in 1998, the city of Leuven was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a testament to its rich history and cultural significance.
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Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. Founding member of the European Union, it covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres and has a population of about 10.7 million. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution and, at the end of the nineteenth century, possessed several colonies in Africa. Today, Belgium's strongly globalized economy and its transportation infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helps made it 2007 the world's 15th largest trading nation. Cultural life is nowadays concentrated within each language community and a variety of barriers have made a shared cultural sphere less pronounced. Anyway, the region corresponding to today's Belgium has seen the flourishing of major artistic movements that have had tremendous influence on European art and culture. Text extracted from wikipedia.