The story of Leiden
The history of Leiden goes back a long way. At the end of the fifteenth century, the city was the largest in the county of Holland, mainly due to its central role in the international cloth industry. From the sixteenth century onwards, everything changed. In 1572, Leiden joined the Dutch uprising against Spanish rule and was besieged by the Spanish twice.
Leidens Ontzet
In 1574, the Spanish entrenched themselves around Leiden, intending to starve the city into submission. Residents were starving. By flooding a large part of South Holland, the resistance group of the Watergeuzen was able to liberate Leiden with their boats and distribute herring and white bread. On 3 October 1574, the Spanish troops fled and only a remnant of food was found in a pan: hutspot. Every year on 3 October, the people of Leiden celebrate the Leiden Relief with a two-day party. Live music, a large funfair, fireworks and of course the distribution of herring, white bread and hutspot is a must on the table!
The Relief was the starting point of a new period of prosperity. In 1577, tens of thousands of people from the southern Netherlands came to Leiden because of their Calvinist faith, which was forbidden in the south. Most were skilled textile workers who worked for what is now Museum De Lakenhal, giving the declining Leiden wool industry a boost with new products, techniques, capital and labour.
Because the people of Leiden kept up their resistance for so long, William of Orange gave the city the first university of the Netherlands. Because of this, Leiden also developed as a city of letters. The city was an important centre for printers, scientific publishers and bookshops. Leiden grew into the second largest city in the Republic, after Amsterdam. At its peak around 1670, more than 60,000 people lived close together. This period -the 17th century – is often called the Dutch Golden Era.
Decline and revolution
In the 18th century, the Leiden wool industry deteriorated: employment decreased and the city became empty and full of discontent. Napoleon’s constant wars did not help either. To make matters worse, a gunpowder ship exploded in the centre of Leiden on 12 January 1807. Dozens of houses were destroyed and at least 160 people were killed.
The 19th century
After 1815, the city’s prosperity started to improve again. Leiden’s economy grew because of new industries, such as metalworking, the graphic industry and the canning industry. The prosperity of the past is still clearly visible on the facades of the beautiful shops.
‘City of knowledge and culture’
The city has changed for the better in the last thirty years. From an impoverished factory town in the 1960s and the withdrawal of industries in the 80s, Leiden today is a city of knowledge and culture. In this City of Discoveries, new discoveries are still being made every day. The Leiden Bio Science Park is the largest innovation district in the Netherlands in the field of life sciences and health. The university, the university of applied sciences and vocational schools teach more than 32,000 students.
Explore and discover
A fun museum for the whole family, a lively concert, or a nice brunch? In this city full of idyllic courtyards, museums, monuments, shops, canals, restaurants and parks, you can go everywhere!
Historic city centre
If you wander through the alleys of Leiden, you will feel like you are back in the 17th century. Follow in young Rembrandt’s footsteps, from the old Academy building where he studied, along the canals, city gates, bridges and mills, through the many courtyards. Let yourself be carried away by the beautiful stories of the city and get to know the history of Leiden.
Feast your eyes
Walking through Leiden, there is something beautiful to discover on every street corner. In fact, the city has almost 2,800 historical monuments, from hidden courtyards to mills, churches and city gates. The Castle, hidden but in the middle of the city, is the highlight. It’s recommended to explore the city on foot. Everything is so close together that you can see a lot of monuments in just a short walk.
Leiden courtyards
Leiden has no fewer than 35 courtyards, often originally founded by wealthy residents as accommodation for the poor or the elderly. Push open a door between two houses and suddenly you may find yourself in a beautiful courtyard! Most courtyards are still inhabited. Almost all of the courtyards can be visited, but please take the residents into account.
A paradise for culture lovers
Marvel at the treasures of science in Boerhaave Museum, learn all about the life of the young Rembrandt in his own studio, immerse yourself in nature and meet T. rex Trix in Naturalis, see the diverse history of the Netherlands in the National Museum of Antiquities, explore the world at the Wereldmuseum, see the giant lilies at the Botanical Garden and discover Japan in Sieboldhuis. With 13 top museums within walking distance, full of diverse exhibitions and fascinating displays, there is plenty to discover in the world of art and culture.
Explore Leiden with the children
Apart from the museums, there is plenty more to do for the little ones: from playgrounds, the Leiden museums or a children’s film in the cinema, to the petting zoo and the swimming pool.
Exploring makes you hungry
Leiden’s cafes and restaurants are the perfect place to relax! Sit down on one of the many terraces on the canals or on the restaurant boats moored on the water in summer. The wide range of restaurants or cafes gives everyone the opportunity to find the cuisine they love. Try Thai food at Buddhas, taste the Latin-American atmosphere at Tabù or high-level Dutch cuisine at Café Visscher. Stadscafé Van der Werff is open all day, from an early lunch to late-night drinks. Lot & the Walvis is loacated on the marina next to the old city gate.
Written by Saskia Roselaar
Thanks to www.visitleiden.nl