Leiden

Leiden is one of the Netherlands' oldest cities and lies between the cities Amsterdam and The Hague. It has a rich history and a unique charm. Here are some highlights and interesting facts about Leiden.

The city center is full of historic buildings, old churches, picturesque alleys and canals. Beautiful stone bridges cross the canals and connects the different parts of the city.

universities

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It has a rich history and is known for its research and academic excellence.

Most of the Dutch royal family have also studied here.

Student life

Thanks to the university, the city has a vibrant student population, which contributes to the city's youthful energy and cultural scenes.

De Burcht

An old fortress located on an artificial hill in the center of the city. It offers a nice view of the city.

Museums

Leiden has several prominent museums. One of the most famous is Naturalis, a natural history museum with one of the world's largest collections.

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden focuses on ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, while the Museum Volkenkunde is an ethnographic museum that presents cultures from around the world.

Hortus Botanicus

This is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, founded in 1590. It is attached to the university and has a collection of rare plants from all over the world.

Leiden's Ontzet

Every year the The city celebrates October 3 "Leiden's Ontzet", a local holiday commemorating the city's liberation from a Spanish siege in 1574.

The festival includes parades, music, and traditional maträtter as hutspot (a type of stowage).

Molens (Windmills)

Like many Dutch cities, Leiden has several beautiful windmills. De Burcht, the aforementioned fortress, is surrounded by some of these iconic structures.

Leiden is a great destination for those who want to experience an authentic Dutch city beyond the more touristy areas like Amsterdam.

It combines history, culture and beauty in a way that is typical of the Netherlands.