Leiden (Netherlands) – Detailed Information about the City with Photos. Main Attractions of Leiden with Description, Guides, and Maps.
The City of Leiden (Netherlands)
Leiden (Dutch: Leiden) is a city in the western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland. Situated on the Old Rhine River between Amsterdam and The Hague, Leiden is one of the most picturesque cities in the Netherlands, known for its beautiful historical center with canals and the country’s oldest university. It is also the birthplace of famous artists such as Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Jan van Goyen, and Lucas van Leyden.
Geography and Climate
Leiden is located in the north of the South Holland province, 45 km northwest of Amsterdam and 18 km northeast of The Hague. The Old Rhine River flows through the city. Leiden is also crisscrossed by a network of canals, with Rapenburg being the most famous and beautiful. The climate is moderate maritime with warm summers and mild winters.
The best way to reach Leiden is by train. The journey from The Hague takes 10–15 minutes, from Schiphol Airport 20 minutes, and from Amsterdam approximately 30 minutes.
Practical Information
- Population — over 110,000 inhabitants.
- Area – 23.16 km².
- Currency — euro.
- Visa — Schengen.
- Language — Dutch.
- Time – UTC +1, summer +2.
- Main shopping streets are Haarlemmerstraat and Breestraat. They are located 10–15 minutes walk from the central station. On Saturdays, a market operates along the canal between Nieuwe Rijn and Vismarkt streets.
- In the Pieterswijk district (on the east side of Breestraat), you can find many cozy restaurants.
City Hotels
History
The first mentions of Leiden date back to 860. The city emerged near a dam on the southern side of the Old Rhine. In the 12th century, a castle was built here, around which a trading settlement grew. In 1266, Leiden was granted city rights. During the Hundred Years’ War, many Belgian weavers fled here, laying the foundation for the textile industry and subsequent prosperity of Leiden in the Middle Ages.
In 1420, Leiden was conquered by the Duke of Bavaria. In 1572, the city joined the Union of Utrecht against Spanish rule. In 1574, Leiden was besieged by the Spanish. To lift the siege, the Dutch had to open the sluices and flood the city. This allowed sea vessels to practically enter Leiden and deliver food. As a reward for this, William of Orange allowed the citizens to establish a university.
Leiden prospered until the 17th century. In the 18th century, the textile industry declined, which severely affected the city’s welfare. Now, Leiden is one of the main cultural and scientific centers of the Netherlands.
Attractions
Old Town of Leiden is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Medieval monuments and ancient architecture are preserved here. In terms of size, the historical core is second only to Amsterdam. The old town is interlaced with a network of canals. The area between Oude Rijn and Nieuwe Rijn is one of the most untouched parts of Leiden, preserved in its original state from the 16th-17th centuries.
Leiden Castle — a defensive structure from the 11th century, built on top of an artificial 12-meter hill. You can enter the castle through old gates featuring a lion with the city’s coat of arms. The fort was once surrounded by a chain of walls 35 meters in diameter, along with two canals, one of which can still be seen at the foot of the hill. The tower was built in the 17th century. From here, a stunning view of old Leiden opens up.
St. Peter’s Church — the oldest church in Leiden, founded in 1121 as a count’s chapel. By the 16th century, the structure had transformed into a large church with an amazing interior, stained glass, a late Gothic pulpit, and a 16th-century organ. The rich interior was significantly damaged during the Reformation period. The church contains the tomb of the prominent artist Jan Steen and 10 other ancient tombstones.
St. Pancras Church (Hooglandse Kerk) dates back to the 15th century and was built near the old castle. This beautiful Gothic structure was never completed, resulting in a quirky structure where the low nave does not align with the high choir and transept. The church also features large windows, numerous Gothic decorations, and the world’s widest Gothic transept. The street next to the church (Hooglandse Kerkgracht) is located on the site of an old canal and is one of the most atmospheric streets in Leiden’s old town.
Marsh Gates — city gates from the early 17th century, located on the western edge of the old town. In the past, this was not the most pleasant entrance to the city, as the bodies of hanged criminals were displayed here. They are named so because marshes approached Leiden from the west.
Zijlpoort
Zijlpoort is located in the eastern part of the old town. These are 17th-century city gates with numerous decorations, resembling Roman triumphal arches.
In the Middle Ages, 8 city gates led to Leiden. Only two such structures have survived to this day.
City Hall — a historic public building constructed in the late 16th century in the Dutch Renaissance style.
The historical building of Leiden University, Academiegebouw, is the oldest building in Leiden, dating back to the 15th century. The university took it from an ancient monastery. Despite several transformations and reconstructions, the original neo-Gothic architecture of the building remains almost untouched. Currently, diploma ceremonies and doctoral dissertation defenses are held here.
Church of St. Mary — a beautiful historic church built in the 16th century.
Leiden’s old town is pierced by dozens of canals, with a total length of 28 km. It’s no wonder that many bridges have been built here. The most famous are the Fish Bridge (Visbrug) and the Grain Bridge (Koornbrug). The Fish Bridge is the oldest bridge in Leiden. It was built in the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, fishermen sold their catch here. The Grain Bridge dates back to 1642.
Weighing House (Waag) — a historic building with an interesting relief on its facade, built in 1657.
Museums of Leiden:
- Boerhaave – Museum of Medical and Scientific History.
- National Museum of Antiquities — exhibits from Egypt and the Middle East, Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.
- Leiden Windmill Museum is located in an amazing seven-story stone mill built in 1743.
- Leiden City Museum — an impressive collection of paintings by leading Dutch artists of the 16th and 17th centuries, including Jan van Goyen, Rembrandt, and Jan Steen.
- Ethnological Museum — large collections from around the world with a focus on exhibits from Indonesia and Japan.
- Netherlands National Museum of Natural History — ten million samples of animals and insects, as well as minerals and precious stones.
Video of Leiden
Leiden: A City Comes to Life in Details
Leiden is not just another European tourist destination. It is a living chronicle of Dutch history, where every canal, every stone of an ancient building has its unique story. From the heroic siege of 1574 to the picturesque streets where genius artists were once born, the city breathes authenticity and the spirit of the unconquered Dutch people.
Today, Leiden is a symphony of canals, architecture, and science, where the past harmoniously intertwines with the present. It is a city that should not just be seen, but felt with all senses, immersing oneself in its unique atmosphere, where every corner hides a small secret of Dutch civilization.
