Keizersberg
Emperor’s Hill
Keizersberg is a steep hill on the outskirts of the well-known university city of Louvain. In the Middle Ages, the dukes of Brabant built a castle on top of it, and in the early 16th century a little boy named Charles spent part of his childhood there. He later became the Habsburg emperor Charles V, hence the name of the place – Keizersberg literally means ‘Emperor’s Hill’.
The ducal castle has long since gone, but at the end of the 19th century, Benedictine monks founded an abbey on Keizersberg. They built it in the Romanesque Revival style, following the traditional abbey layout: a central open courtyard is enclosed by covered walkways known as the cloister. These form the heart of monastic life: they connect all the parts of the abbey, such as the church, the dormitories and the refectory.
The monks also took full advantage of the secluded location, and created a green haven on the hill, where they worked and prayed for over a century.
A small village
The last monks left Keizersberg Abbey a few years ago, and the buildings are now home to a new community: students, social entrepreneurs, artists, health workers… It feels like a small village, and it’s a place where social relevance is deeply valued. The students, for example, include refugees who might not have the means to rent student digs elsewhere. And the entrepreneurs employ people who struggle to find their place in the job market.
The abbey is also home to a congress and meeting center unlike any other: a remarkable site of interconnected historic buildings, where grand, imposing halls flow into intimate, character-filled rooms. It is a world apart, far from the everyday — just as it was when the monks still lived her. Surrounded by a welcoming park, it offers space to think, to meet, and to let ideas grow.
But a large part of its character lies not in bricks or buildings, but in the community that has formed there. The staff will be glad to organize a tour for you, so you can experience it firsthand. They will also handle catering, audiovisual equipment, and all other practical matters according to your wishes.
Located in Leuven
Keizersberg Abbey is a secluded spot, yet it’s only a short walk to the centre of Leuven — one of Europe’s oldest university cities, with 60,000 students from all over the world. It is a lively, active place with a great café life, lots of parties, and a vibrant cultural scene. Leuven is also home to the headquarters of AB InBev, the world's largest brewer – best-known for its Stella Artois beer. So at Keizersberg Abbey, you enjoy the best of both worlds: serene seclusion above the city, with Leuven’s vibrant energy just steps away.
Practical information
Technical Info
Hybrid conferences possible
Ample parking nearby
Capacity
Up to 400 paxLocation
More information about this venue?
FLANDERS Convention Bureau will be happy to give you all the information you need, and offer your association or PCO free support, no strings attached.
