Brochure - Leiden

enis
Hooglandse Kerk
Hooglandse Kerk
Langs Leidse Hofjes
Langs Leidse Hofjes Leiden telt
maar liefst 35 hofjes, vrijwel allemaal
in de binnenstad.
Stuk voor stuk zijn zij idyllische
plekjes, waar het stadsrumoer is
buitengesloten en waar het lijkt
alsof de tijd heeft stilgestaan.
Een stadswandeling voert u langs
een selectie uit het totale aantal
Leidse hofjes. Ervaar zelf dat de
hofjes nog steeds oases van rust
en stilte zijn.
Leiden’s monuments: experience the history
Leiden has more than 3,000 historic monuments, many of which are open to the public.
The churches, town gates, bridges and beautiful buildings with their picturesque facades
make Leiden a true Dutch city. In fact, the whole city centre of Leiden is one enormous
monument. The following are just a few of the city’s many historic attractions:
The Citadel
The Citadel stands at the heart of
the city, and is one of the oldest
remaining examples of a motte
fortress in the Netherlands. It
comprises a man-made mound (a
motte), originally with a wooden
fortress. In 1203 this is where the
struggle for the county of Holland
was fought. The Citadel is open to
the public, and if you’re prepared
to negotiate the steep stairs, you
will be rewarded with a breathtaking
view over Leiden.
Rapenburg
This canal, Rapenburg was dug
not long after 1200 to provide
the still young city of Leiden with
good defences. In the 17th century
it became one of the principal
and most fashionable canals in
the city. Rich merchants and
celebrated professors lived here in
imposing mansions. According to
some 18th-century geographers
Rapenburg was the most beautiful
spot on earth!
Hooglandse Kerk
Not far from the Citadel you will
find the Hooglandse Kerk, an
imposing late Gothic cruciform
church in the heart of Leiden.
It is without doubt one of the most
beautiful and imposing of Leiden’s
churches. The remarkable Gothic
lines and the enormous windows
bathe the massive interior space
with an overwhelming light. The
church is renowned for its elegance
and has the largest expanse of
windows in the Netherlands. The
transept at 65.7 metres wide is
the broadest Gothic transept in the
world and gives a clear impression
of just how immense the completed
structure would have been.
It was planned to rival the largest
Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
Leidse hofjes
Leiden’s almshouses
Leiden’s almshouses Leiden
Leiden’s almshouses Leiden
Leiden’s almshouses Leiden has no
less than 35 almshouses, almost
all in the city centre. These almshouses
set in charming courtyards
offer an idyllic respite from the
bustle of the city, where it seems
as if time has stood still. This town
walk will take you to a selection
of Leiden’s many almshouses.
Experience for yourself these oases
of peace and calm!
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