City of historic buildings

Bridges, courtyards, windmills and churches

When you walk through Leiden, you'll have trouble choosing where to look at first. There is something beautiful to discover on every corner of the street. Not surprising, as the city has more than 2,800 monuments. From hidden courtyard gardens to historical mills, churches and city gates. With the Burcht in the middle of the city as the highlight. Leiden's city center is a big open-air museum. Exploring the city by foot is a wonderful idea, everything is within walking distance! With a lovely city walk you get to see many beautiful monuments.

The Burcht

The Burcht van Leiden is one of the oldest surviving examples of a fortress in the Netherlands. Archaeologists discovered that the mound must have been built in the late ninth century. At the top of the hill stood a round wall and a tower which is no longer there. This beautiful place is a must see when visiting Leiden. When you have climbed the many steps, a beautiful view over the city awaits you.
Courtyard gardens

Leiden has more than 35 courtyards. Anyone who unsuspectingly opens a door between two houses can suddenly find themselves in a beautiful courtyard! And each courtyard has its own story. Many courtyards are still inhabited. Who wouldn't want to live here? Almost all of the courtyards can be visited, but keep in mind the residents.
Courtyard gardens in Leiden
Courtyard gardens
Mill 'de Put'

Mill 'De Put' owes its name to miller Jan Jansz. Put, owner of the mill that stood on this site in the 17th century. The mill was rebuilt in the 1980s. The mill is located on the north bank of the Rhine, which was built in the early 17th century. Leiden was then the largest city after Amsterdam and overcrowded. After the Relief of Leiden in 1574, the city had 10,000 inhabitants, in 1600 there were already 24,000.
Koornbrug

On this bridge grain was traded for centuries. To keep things dry, a roof was built in 1834, making this bridge not the only, but the oldest covered bridge.
Latin School

From 1424 the Latin School was located on this spot. Here students learned arithmetic, writing and reading, Latin, logic and choral singing. This school was the predecessor of today's gymnasium. The building dates from 1599 and was designed by city stonemason Den Dubbelden and city mason Van Es. Rembrandt van Rijn was educated here.

Pieterskerk
Pieterskerk

The oldest parish church in Leiden, consecrated in 1121 as a chapel of the count's court. The current form was created between 1390 and 1565.
Marekerk
Marekerk

This octagonal church was built as one of the first churches for Protestant worship, between 1639 and 1649.
Hooglandse Kerk
Hooglandse Kerk

The wooden chapel from 1314 was soon replaced by a stone church.
Hartebrugkerk
Hartebrugkerk

The name refers to the Hartebrug, which lay here over the (now filled in) Mare.
Heilige Lodewijkkerk
Heilige Lodewijkkerk

The chapel of the Sint Jacobsgasthuis served as a textile hall in the 17th century. The tower dates from 1594.
Lokhorstkerk
Lokhorstkerk

The Lokhorstkerk is a typical Mennonite clandestine church from 1638, a stone's throw from the medieval Pieterskerk in the heart of Leiden.
Waalse Kerk
Waalse Kerk

Originally this was a 13th-century chapel of the Sint Catharinagasthuis. After the Reformation, in 1638, it was given to the English and Walloon congregations by the city.

Heritage Leiden (Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken)

Heritage Leiden(Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken) is the regional knowledge center for research, education and information in the field of heritage; more than nine kilometers old archives and an extensive collection of books, prints, posters and films. In addition, ELO advises and informs about archaeology, monuments and sustainability. ELO also has Molen De Valk under its care.

Erfgoed Leiden en omstreken

History 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. And that…was mainly thanks to the international cloth industry. From the sixteenth century, everything changed. A time of reforms and persecutions. Leiden joined the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule in 1572 and was besieged twice by the Spaniards.

Leiden history