Historical Leiden, Leiden

Leiden citadel built on the highest point of the city and the view from there is nice, although it's not high enough to see the whole city. mostly you'll be seeing the roofs of all the buildings that surround it.
When it was build it was possible to see the river, but not anymore. You can take nice pictures though, especially of the Hogelandsekerk.
The historical facts say that De Burcht never had a chance to defend the town and mostly was usued by its residents when Leiden was in danger.
There's a nice terrace right by the entrance to the Burcht, and the green grass around it invites the visitors to relax on a sunny day

De Burcht in Leiden are the remains of an old fortress. Although it is in the heart of the center not a lot of tourists know about it. Nobody knows for sure who created this fortress, but legends have it that the Vikings did it. Archelologists narrowed it down to 800 to 1150.

You can climb the walls and get a great view over the city.

The Pilgrim Fathers Museum is a small situated in a well preserved house built in approx. 1375. They suspect it initially served as housing for priests from the nearby Hooglandse kerk.

The museum gives an impression of how the Pilgrim Fathers lived in Leiden (1606-1620) after fleeing from the UK. They were forced to leave England as they had seriously upset church authroties there.

Pilgrim leader Rev. Jon Robinson was forced to stay behind when the Pilgrims left for the US because of illness. He is buried the "Pieterskerk" church.

The Pilgrim Fathers Museum is open from Wednesday until Friday from 13.00 to 17.00. Exaplantions are oral (in English).

I loved walking around this city. So many pretty streets. Everywhere I looked it was a feast for the eyes!

This 17th century building burned down completely in januari 1929. The only part that remained was its facade. So the new town hall was build using this old facade and in the same style.

This bridge is the place where for centuries the grain was traded. Since it was such an important business the bridge got a roof on both sides of the bridge so the merchandise stayed dry (1834).

Leiden was surrounded by a fortified wall of which the Zijlpoort was an entry. Not that you'd feel very welcome with canons pointed at you to this day!

This looks like an open almshouse, restored for modern living with a nice garden too.
I forgot to make a photo of the plaque so I have little information.

Now the scene of cultural events, de Waag (The Cheese Weigh House) was built in the mid 17th century.

The Morspoort is one of two survivors out of a total of eight gates that once gave access to the town of Leiden. It's a nice example of Renaissance architecture.