Fonske is the bronze student on Rector De Somerplein in Leuven, a few steps from the Grote Markt, who reads a book while pouring water from a glass into his open head. His full name is Fons Sapientiae, Latin for fountain of wisdom, and he was made by the sculptor Jef Claerhout for the 550th anniversary of the University of Leuven in 1975.
Fonske at a glance
- Where: Rector De Somerplein, the small square between the Grote Markt and the start of Bondgenotenlaan, in the centre of Leuven.
- Created: in the mid-1970s, for the university's 550th anniversary in 1975.
- By: the Belgian sculptor Jef Claerhout.
- What it is today: a bronze fountain statue and the city's mascot, often dressed up for festivals, sports events and university occasions.
- Time needed: 5–10 minutes, plus time to read the book over his shoulder.
A university town's self-portrait
Leuven has been a university town for six centuries. The university was founded in 1425 with the approval of Pope Martin V, and it grew into one of the great centres of learning in the Low Countries. In 1968, after years of conflict over language, it split in two: the Dutch-speaking KU Leuven stayed in Leuven, while the French-speaking Université catholique de Louvain moved to the new town of Louvain-la-Neuve. The square where Fonske stands is named after Pieter De Somer, the first rector of the Dutch-speaking university after the split.
When the university celebrated its 550th anniversary in 1975, Jef Claerhout created a statue that pokes gentle fun at student life. Fonske is no solemn scholar: he is a young man with his nose in a book, so eager for knowledge that he simply pours it straight into his skull. Water runs from his glass through a gap in the top of his head. The statue soon became one of the best-loved symbols of the city, and it is a favourite meeting point for students and visitors alike.
What to look for
- The glass in his hand and the stream of water running into the opening in his head.
- The book he holds: look at its pages for the mathematical formula, which is said to work out to the Dutch word geluk, happiness.
- His casual student pose, eyes fixed on the page, the opposite of a heroic monument.
- Any outfit he is wearing: Fonske is regularly dressed up for festivals, student events and sports matches, so he may not look the same twice.
Water, wisdom or beer?
Officially, the liquid is wisdom: the name means fountain of wisdom, and the statue celebrates the thirst for knowledge. But Leuven is also the city of the Stella Artois brewery and of one of the longest bar terraces in Europe on the Oude Markt, and students have always liked to read the glass as a pint of beer. Both readings are part of the joke, and the statue is often compared with Brussels' Manneken Pis as a small bronze figure with a big wardrobe.
Tips for your visit
- Come in the evening during term time, when the square fills with students on their way to the Oude Markt.
- For the best photo, stand slightly to his side so you can see both the glass and the water entering his head.
- Fonske is in the middle of a busy pedestrian area: watch for cyclists, who are everywhere in Leuven.
Nearby
- Leuven Town Hall: the Gothic town hall on the Grote Markt, its façade covered with statues and pinnacles.
- St Peter's Church: the Gothic church opposite the town hall, home to Dieric Bouts's painting of the Last Supper.
- Oude Markt: the square lined entirely with cafés and bars, the centre of Leuven's student nightlife.
- University Library and Ladeuzeplein: the library rebuilt after the First World War, with Jan Fabre's giant beetle on a needle, the Totem, on the square in front.
See Leuven with World City Trail
Our Leuven scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 25 minutes of walking. Fonske is not one of the stops, but the route includes M Leuven and Ladeuzeplein with the University Library. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Leuven.
Play the Leuven scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Leuven →
Play the outdoor escape game in Leuven →
Facts checked in October 2026.