De Kangxi-Verbiest Hemelglobe (Kangxi-Verbiest Star Globe), Leuven

In the peaceful courtyard of the Catholic University of Leuven, stands an intriguing relic – 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.