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This is what you can read at the entrance:
The Burcht is built on a man-made mound, created between 800 and 1150, probably to protect people from floots. Strategically situated on the confluence of the Old and the New Rhine a wooden battlement was erected, to be replaced by a brick ringwall around 1150. There's hardly been any fighting in or around the Burcht. Already in the 14th century the mound was surrounded by houses.
Up to the 17th century the Burcht was owned by viscounts. In 1651 the city bought the complex. The coats of arms seen on both the gate and the fence are from the mayors of Leiden. At the foot of the hill a city inn and stables were built. From 1693 till 1878 a structure of cellars, resevoirs and intricate plumbing led water from the foot of the hill to the top, from where it was led to the fountain opposite the City Hall.
I can add that although it is quite high (for Dutch standards), you won't be able to see it from the street as the buildings completely cover it, so it can be easy to miss.
The view is nice, although it is not high enough and surrounded by buildings, so it is a bit limited.
In any case, it is worth a visit. In the summer you can just sit on the grass around the walls and enjoy the usually beautiful summer evenings. Leave a Comment Address: BurgsteegDirections: On the confluence of the Nieuwe Rijn and Oude Rijn canals.
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In a private initiative (by the 'Tegen-Beeld' foundation), sponsored by several companies and individuals, poetry started to be painted on the walls of Leiden. The project started in 1992, with a poem by Russian Marina Tsvetajeva.
In all there are 101 poems from 39 countries in 32 different languages. Check out the website for the listing of the poems and its locations.
So when you walk around Leiden, remember to look up on the walls of the buildings and you might be able to find a poem by your favourite author, in its original language.
A very popular gift for people leaving Leiden, there are two book that collect all poems and have a (Dutch) translation of each of them. You can get them at any bookstore (http://www.muurgedichten.nl/boekjes/index.html).
Unfortunately, the project came to an end this year. The last one was De Profundis by Garcia Lorca. Leave a Comment
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Just as in any other Dutch city, Leiden also has its own boat tours and this company offers the service with departures from the Beestenmarkt, the main square just a few minutes walk from the station.
There are 5 daily tours from April to October, from 11.00 until 16.00 and cost 5 Eur/person (discounts for over 65 and children applicable).
If you take the tour on a Wednesday or a Saturday (specially), you will be able to see the market from a whole new perspective! The tour will take you through the main (largest) canals. Leave a Comment Address: Beestenmarkt squareDirections: Coming from the train station (exit towards the center, where you have the bus stops on your right and Taxi's on your left) it just walk straight ahead and after 4-5 minutes you will end up on this square.Website: http://www.rederij-rembrandt.nl
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On the 1st July this year, the city of Leiden decided to put up some street signs with directions to the main Tourist attractions.
They are called the "Leidse Loper" (Leiden Loop). If you see the green sign with the Leiden keys on top (see picture) you can decide to follow the loop and see all attractions on the way. The sign will also tell you how long it would take to complete the loop and go back to the same spot. There is also other information such as the direction to the train stations, which can be useful if you don't know the way around the city.
In any case, it is the "lazy" approach :) to tourist sightseeing.
If you are interested, there is also a book that will give you a more detailed description of the attractions along the Leidse Loper. You can get it at any bookstoore or online:
Kooyker Leave a Comment Address: All over Leiden
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The "Hortus Botanicus" is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, opened in 1578 and it has a fabulous location. The front entrance faces the gorgeous Rapenburg canal and the actual garden is on the equally beautiful Witte Singel.
It is not as impressive as other botanical gardens (like the one in Lisbon, for instance), but is is still very nice. There are benches facing the Witte Singel where you can just sit down and relax, the view is great!
Entrance is 4 Euros for adults and there are many other kinds of tickets (students, groups, etc). Guided tours are also available (at additional cost).
Opening hours:
March 26-October 31 Monday till Sunday 10 - 18 hrs.
November 1-March 25 Monday till Friday, Sunday 10 - 16 hrs.
Check the webpage for more information, the Hortus closes on a few specific days each year, so make sure you confirm that it is open before you go. Also check for special events and the "bird's-eye view" section will give you information on what you can see.
June 21st - "Midsummer's Night at the Leiden Hortus.
Tuesday, the 21st of June the longest day and the shortest night of the year will be celebrated. Special light effects, music and storytelling in the garden and greenhouses." Leave a Comment
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The Naturalis is the National Museum of Natural History and is located just outside the center of Leiden, on the backside of the trainstation, in a large, modern building. If you have trouble finding it, just look for the "monuments to rust", which are large rusty statues, on the side of the road.
It is a very large museum with several floors (4-5) that will take ages to visit thoroughly.
There is always some kind of special exhibition and at the time of writing it is "Heart at work, A special exhibiton about the heart, blood and vessels".
The permanent exhibitions are:
- Nature Theater
- Primeval Parade
- Earth
- Life
- Earth inside
- Biotechnology
- Treasure Chamber
There is a lot to see and it can be very interesting. It is a very good way of spending time when the the day is not nice for a walk outside (yes, it does occasionally also happen to have bad weather in Leiden :))
Adults pay 9 Eur and children 5 (free if they are under 4 years old).
Opening hours are:
Tuesday-Sunday 10 am - 6 pm, closed on Monday.
During school vacations and on holidays: Monday-Sunday 10 am - 6 pm
(Closed 25 December and 1 January) Leave a Comment
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A very interesting sigthseeing activity in Leiden is a boattour around the canals.
This place rents several kinds of boats (row- paddle- motorsloops) and canoes.
With the rental you get a map of the canals you can "sail" and it is quite easy to get around. I recommend the "Witte Singel" and the "Rapenburg".
It is possible to make reservations (except on Sunday afternoons) and it is recommended to do so as it is quite popular when the weather is nice. Reservations are for a minimum of 2 hours if I am not mistaken.
I recommend the paddleboat, but it is all a matter of taste :)
Prices are on the website, some rentals require a deposit. Leave a Comment Address: Galgewater 44aPhone: 071 5149790Directions: It is right next to the "De Put" windmill.Website: http://www.galgewater.nl/
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Built in 1595, the building was destroyed in a fire in 1929 and was reconstructed (the facade survived and is still the original one). It is one of the nicest buildings in Leiden.
Every year there is an "Open monument day" (http://www.openmonumentendag.nl/) in which you can visit many monuments and historical houses that would otherwise be closed.
On that day you are able to visit certain areas of the City Hall that are usually not accessible, such as the Mayor's office that has a very nice wooden panel with a map of Leiden with birds, made by Escher (you will understand the bird part if you know his work). It is very nice, colour-coded, so you can see when each area of Leiden was developed. Leave a Comment Address: Stadhuisplein 1
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Built in 1743, this is the only of the city's original 19 mills that still exists. It is/was a corn-grinding windmill and is now home to a museum.
It is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00. Sundays and holidays 13.00 to 17.00.
For the lazy people that don't like maths, the mill celebrated its 262th anniversary in 2005. Leave a Comment
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Although it is technically not Leiden, I guess there is no other "major" city that is closer, so I put it on this page. It is only about 10 minutes away from the center by car.
It is just an field with 3 nice windmills you can look at, it is quite scenic although not spectacular. Since it is so close to Leiden, I think it is worth visiting, even if only for half an hour for a few pictures (they are quite photogenic these mills).
I personally think winter is the best time to see them when the canals are frozen (or starting to freeze). Leave a Comment Address: StompwijkDirections: It is easy to get there, but difficult to explain without a map, so the best thing is to ask at a gas station, everyone will now where it is.
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- De Doelen
Rapenburg 2, Leiden, Netherlands - Van der Valk Hotel Leiden
Haagse Schouwweg 14, Leiden, Netherlands - Romantik Hotel Hof Van Holland
Voorstraat 79, Leiden, Netherlands - Holiday Inn
Haagse Schouwweg 10, Leiden, Netherlands - Nh Leeuwenhorst
Langelaan 3 Noordwijkerhout, Leiden, Netherlands - Nieuw Minerva
Boommarkt 23, Leiden, Netherlands - Marienpoel Hotel Leiden
Marienpoelstraat 1a, Leiden, Netherlands - Het Oosten Hotel Hazerwoude Dorp
Frankrijklaan 2 Hazerswoude, border Boskoop, Leiden, Netherlands - Tulip Inn Centre
Schipholweg 3, Leiden, Netherlands - Bastion Hotel Leiden
Voorschoterweg 8, Leiden, Netherlands - Holiday Inn LEIDEN
Haagse Schouwweg 10, Leiden, Netherlands - Tulip Inn Leiden Centre
Schipholweg 3, Leiden, Netherlands - Golden Tulip Leiden Centre
Schipholweg 3, Leiden, Netherlands
Destinations near Leiden- Zoeterwoude, 3.71 km / 2.31 miles
- Voorschoten, 3.88 km / 2.41 miles
- Warmond, 5.56 km / 3.45 miles
- Stompwijk, 6.01 km / 3.73 miles
- Wassenaar, 6.82 km / 4.24 miles
- Oud-Ade, 7.17 km / 4.46 miles
- Kagerplassen, 7.17 km / 4.46 miles
- Voorhout, 7.49 km / 4.65 miles
- Sassenheim, 7.74 km / 4.81 miles
- Katwijk aan Zee, 7.95 km / 4.94 miles
» See all locations nearby» Popular Provincie Zuid-Holland locations» Popular Netherlands locations
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on April 14, 2005
