The Dutch city, just a thirty-minute drive north of The Hague and ten minutes from the beaches of the North Sea, is known as the birthplace of Rembrandt. But it’s also a university town, popular with European students, drawn by the human-scale charm of this city. Its university, founded in 1575, is also one of the oldest in the country; René Descartes was a student there and published his famous. A Discourse on Method. Regarding knowledge, Leiden will be the European City of Science in 2022. A chance to spend the weekend sailing its canals and strolling its historic streets.
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Historical city
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Formerly the second largest city in the Netherlands, built in the 12th century, Leiden became a trading center in the 17th century. Particularly well-preserved, spared from the wars, the heart of the city seems intact and offers many areas for strolling along the small cobbled streets. Start your day climbing! Burkht, the old medieval fortress built at the confluence of the Old and New Rhines. Standing on an artificial hill, it is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands, of which only the walls remain, the tower has been demolished. The 360 view allows you to measure the city and admire the Gothic church Hooglandse Kerk. Going down, cross the bridge and pick it up Brestrat identify the municipality (Stadium), whose facade dates back to 1595.
The city center has about 2800 historical monuments. each street allows you to explore the famous inner courtyards, which often shelter small little gardens. Then stop Pieterskierk, the oldest church in the city, the first building elements of which date back to the 12th century, particularly its stained glass windows and the 16th century organ. Then you have to extend the hike to Rembrandt Park and connect Molen de Put near the bridge, an amazing mill rebuilt in the 1980s from an old mill. Immediately next to it is one of the last two gates of the city: Morespoort. Your steps will then take you back along the canal Oud Single to the second Zillportwhere? Poort Brewery allows you to taste local dishes, particularly oysters and mussels. End the day with a short walk Hortus BotanicusThe oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, designed back in the 16th century for the students of the nearby medical academy.
An exclusive concentration of museums
While the Netherlands has the largest number of museums per square meter, Leiden’s museums are very scholarly. so Boerhaave MuseumThe name of the Dutch doctor who made many discoveries represents scientific experiments on the human body. A cheerful place, especially suitable for family visits. a little further ethnological museumFounded in 1837, it revisits all the world’s cultures with a stunning collection of everyday items. Art is clearly inseparable from Leyden. located in a symbolic building from 1640, Lakenhall Museum completed with extension and glass dome in 2019. There is a large collection of Dutch artists, from Lucas van Leyden to Erwin Olaf, but also furniture, objects and crockery. Museum of Antiquities, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, houses one of the largest collections of Ancient Egypt. Finally, it’s impossible to go to Leiden without stopping at Langebrugg 89, the studio where Rembrandt studied painting with Jacob van Swanenburg. A wonderful house where the first twenty years of the artist’s life are described through an immersive video.
Walk on the canal
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Unlike Amsterdam, where the canals are often packed on sunny days, Leiden’s canals are decidedly quieter. Along 28 kilometers of canals (and 88 bridges), a film scene unfolds, made up of particularly photogenic 16th- and 17th-century traditional houses and gardens. You can hire a boat (around €85 for 2 hours for 6 people) or choose to be guided by a skipper for a 50-minute ride (€12 per adult). Specifically, you need to borrow Rappenburgwhich runs along the building Academiegebouw, a former monastery transformed into a university residence. To do like the Dutch, who most often come with their own boat, ask to anchor a few meters away from the boat Koornbrug bridgeit’s time to take a break at one of the ice cream parlors on the pier.
New garden
In recent years, the city has collected all the small parks bordering the old town to create one garden and make it the flagship of Leyden. Residents, who are not only the soul of the project, but also the little hands, are especially involved. all worked the land, planted and organized the various areas. Like the New York High Line or the green corridor of Paris, it allows you to completely circle the city on a six-kilometer route, starting from anywhere in the park. Promenade full of historical monuments such as Molen Valkywindmill that Plantsoen:English garden or very pleasant Rembrandt Park. For drinking: rooftop PLNT: is a true roof garden, perfect for admiring the sunset over the citadel.
ADDRESS BOOK
VISITOR’S CENTER.visitleiden.nl:
Boutique Hotels van Leyden. Huys van Leyden , Oude Singel 212, 2312 Leiden. Such. +31 71 260 0700 From €110 per double room.
PLNT Roof , Langegracht 70, 2312 NV Leiden. Such. +31 85 800 0455.
Boat rental.bootjesenbroodjes.nl.
De Lakenhall Museum or Leiden City Museum , Oude Singel 32, 2312 RA Leiden. Such. +31 71 516 5360.
Poort Brewery , Haven 100, 2312 ML Leiden, The Netherlands. Such. +31 71 524 0933.
Hortus Botanicus Leiden , Rapenburg 73, 2311 GJ Leiden, The Netherlands. Such. +31 71 527 5144. Open until 18:00 from April 1st.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.