De Kangxi-Verbiest Hemelglobe (Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe), Leuven
In the peaceful courtyard of the Catholic University of Leuven, stands an intriguing relic 鈥� the Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe, a faithful replica of a 17th-century celestial map once revered in the Chinese imperial court.
During the 17th century, China witnessed a thriving culture of astronomy, where celestial knowledge held both scientific allure and immense political power. The emperor's authority was tied to precise astronomical predictions, especially concerning eclipses. An error in these forecasts could challenge the emperor's legitimacy, leading to substantial investments in astronomy, including the state-of-the-art Beijing Observatory.
The arrival of Ferdinand Verbiest, a Flemish Jesuit missionary, transformed this celestial landscape. While his Christian mission found limited success, his expertise in European astronomy gained wide acceptance. Verbiest's identification of inaccuracies in the Chinese calendar, confirmed by imperial observatory instruments, earned him the prestigious position of Director of the Beijing Imperial Observatory in 1669. Among his many innovations, he created a remarkable celestial globe.
Verbiest's enduring connection with China culminated in a state funeral upon his death in 1688, fostering a lasting bond between Leuven and China. The replica globe, a gift from the Chinese government three centuries later, showcases 1,888 stars and heavenly bodies, reflecting the zenith of celestial knowledge from that era.
This celestial relic captivates amateur astronomers, tourists, and Chinese students alike. It also witnessed history when inaugurated on June 2, 1989, just before the Tian'anmen Square tragedy, becoming an unwitting backdrop for student protests.
During the 17th century, China witnessed a thriving culture of astronomy, where celestial knowledge held both scientific allure and immense political power. The emperor's authority was tied to precise astronomical predictions, especially concerning eclipses. An error in these forecasts could challenge the emperor's legitimacy, leading to substantial investments in astronomy, including the state-of-the-art Beijing Observatory.
The arrival of Ferdinand Verbiest, a Flemish Jesuit missionary, transformed this celestial landscape. While his Christian mission found limited success, his expertise in European astronomy gained wide acceptance. Verbiest's identification of inaccuracies in the Chinese calendar, confirmed by imperial observatory instruments, earned him the prestigious position of Director of the Beijing Imperial Observatory in 1669. Among his many innovations, he created a remarkable celestial globe.
Verbiest's enduring connection with China culminated in a state funeral upon his death in 1688, fostering a lasting bond between Leuven and China. The replica globe, a gift from the Chinese government three centuries later, showcases 1,888 stars and heavenly bodies, reflecting the zenith of celestial knowledge from that era.
This celestial relic captivates amateur astronomers, tourists, and Chinese students alike. It also witnessed history when inaugurated on June 2, 1989, just before the Tian'anmen Square tragedy, becoming an unwitting backdrop for student protests.
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De Kangxi-Verbiest Hemelglobe (Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe) on Map
Sight Name: De Kangxi-Verbiest Hemelglobe (Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe)
Sight Location: Leuven, Belgium (See walking tours in Leuven)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leuven, Belgium (See walking tours in Leuven)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Leuven, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Leuven
Creating your own self-guided walk in Leuven is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Leuven Introduction Walking Tour
Nestled in the heart of Belgium, the picturesque town of Leuven has no shortage of historic and cultural attractions. Its name is thought to originate from the Old Germanic word "Loven," meaning 鈥渢o love or praise鈥�, an explanation of which may be found in the Leuven slogan, 鈥淎lways praise God.鈥�
Leuven's roots date back to 891 when it was first mentioned after a Viking... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Leuven's roots date back to 891 when it was first mentioned after a Viking... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Leuven Monuments and Statues
Leuven, Belgium is a city steeped in history and culture, embellished with an assortment of monuments and statues that mirror its abundant heritage. Ranging from age-old landmarks to contemporary sculptures, each of them narrates a tale and contributes to the city's distinct allure. Whether paying tribute to historical luminaries, commemorating artistic triumphs, or simply enhancing the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles