Kessel-Lo

Kessel-Lo
Sub-municipality of Leuven
Sacred Heart Church
Location of Kessel-Lo
Location of Kessel-Lo in Leuven
Kessel-Lo Kessel-Lo
Coordinates: 50°53′07″N 4°44′09″E
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community
Region	Flemish Region
Province	Flemish Brabant
Arrondissement	Leuven
Municipality	Leuven
Area
• Total	13.30 km2 (5.14 sq mi)
Population  (2020-01-01)
• Total	30,317
• Density	2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi)
Postal codes	3010
Area codes	016

Fields surrounding Vlierbeek Abbey

Kessel-Lo (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkɛsəˌloː]) is a sub-municipality of the city of Leuven located in the province of Flemish Brabant, Flemish Region, Belgium. It was a separate municipality until 1977. On 1 January 1977, it was merged into Leuven.

Etymology

Its name is derived from "Kessel" (from the Latin "Castellum" for fortress, referring to a fortress that once stood on the Kessel mountain) and "Lo" (forest clearing).

Culture

Kessel-Lo is home to the Provinciaal Domein Kessel-Lo, a large provincial park with ponds, playgrounds, soccer fields, Tennis courts, fishing and other areas for recreational activities. It also has an 'Ecocentrum' which is the starting point for all activities around nature and environmental education. The town has nice smaller public parks such as Park Bellevue, Heuvelhof and Park Michotte and is also known for Vlierbeek Abbey, an old Benedictine abbey built in 1125.

Several youth organisations are present in Kessel-Lo, such as Chiro Don Bosco, Chiro Vlierbeek, Scouts Vlierbeek, Chiro Blauwput, Chiro Hekeko, Scouts De Vlievleger and Scouts Boven-lo.

A local brewery has recently been founded called "De Vlier". They brew a blond beer called "Kessel's Blond".

Sport

Kessel-Lo is also the proud home of the Rugby Club Leuven and Thijs Vandebon and Teun Vandermeulen.