The facade of the City Hall dates from 1595. Several Pilgrims were married in the City Hall, amongst them William Bradford and Dorothy May. Civil marriage was a Dutch invention, introduced because nearly half the population did not belong to the state church. The pilgrims introduced it in America, following the Leiden example, because in their first years they had no preacher.
Seat of the city government
The Leiden town hall stood on Breestraat as early as the Middle Ages. In 1595/96 it was given a new facade in Renaissance style. The city government wanted to show the city's new prosperity. In 1574 Leiden had been besieged by the Spanish. Many citizens died of hunger and plague. Nonetheless Leiden withstood the siege. The city was relieved on 3 October 1574. Several parts of the town hall facade commemorate this Siege and Relief of Leiden. The town hall was largely lost during a devastating fire in 1929. The façade was rebuilt, but the building behind was completely new.
The blue stone in the middle of the Breestraat marks the centre of the city. In medieval it was the place where courts of law were held and sentences carried out.
When the Pilgrims left Leiden in 1620 they passed under the Vlietbrug on their way to Delfshaven.
Across the street from the Pieterskerk, the grand entrance to the Jean Pesijns Almshouse stands since 1683 where John Robinson’s house had been. A memorial stone is in the wall to the right of the entry.
Somewhere in a close on the Langebrug, Pilgrim James Chilton lived with his family.
In Pilgrim times, Rembrandt studied here.
Located in a beautifully preserved house built ca 1365-1370, the Leiden American Pilgrim museum tells the stories of the founders of New England, the Pilgrims.
Leiden's Mennonite community built the Lokhorstkerk in 1613-38 behind existing houses and expanded it in 1648.
With only 60 minutes on the clock and many difficult puzzles and riddles, the Mayflower Escaperoom is an exciting challenge for families, friends and colleagues.
Museum De Lakenhal presents an exhibition which sheds light on this remarkable journey, from their home country England, via the city of Leiden where they were in voluntary exile for 11 years, to the world of the Native Americans they entered and the colony they founded. In the exhibition, questions are highlighted, offering a range of historical and contemporary perspectives.
The Pieterskerk has been a central monument in Leiden since the twelfth century. With almost 900 years worth of history, the Pieterskerk has been an important meeting place in Dutch history.
Before the Reformation this church was a stop for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
Although most Pilgrims who died in Leiden were buried in or around the Pieterskerk, a few were buried in the Hooglandsekerk, including a child of William Brewster’s, who died in June, 1609, shortly after the Pilgrims arrived in Leiden.
An artificial hill, a motte, constructed around 1000 AD. A circular castle from the middle of the twelfth century stands on the top.
The University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university in the Netherlands. John Robinson took part in heated theological debates.
Not only were all wares coming to market brought here to be weighed, the landing in front of the Weigh House was the terminus of regular boat service to Leiden from Haarlem and Amsterdam. Here is where the Pilgrims first set foot on Leiden’s land.
When the hospital was still standing, Myles Standish, an English soldier who later joined the Pilgrims, was nursed here.
William Brewster lived and worked in an area of Leiden near Pieterskerk. Today the street where he lived is called William Brewstersteeg.
Charm and personal attention
Both at 'De Barones van Leyden' and at 'Huys van Leyden', the emphasis is on personal attention, convenience, style and relaxation. De Barones van Leyden is situated in a canal-side house on Oude Herengracht dating from 1644 and overlooks the tugboat port.
Boutique Hotel d'Oude Morsch
Boutique Hotel d'Oude Morsch
An intimate hotel right in the city centre of Leiden.
The Huys van Leyden is an intimate hotel right in the city centre of Leiden
Between the two main Leiden shopping streets
Both at 'De Barones van Leyden' and at 'Huys van Leyden', the emphasis is on personal attention, convenience, style and relaxation.
A magnificent view over the city
City Resort Hotel has a magnificent view over the city
A wide diversity in hotel rooms
The Golden Tulip (4-star hotel) and Tulip Inn Leiden (3-star hotel) are situated in a modern building situated between the city centre of Leiden and the Bio Science Park, about 100 m from Leiden Central Station and close to the A44 motorway to Amsterdam and The Hague. The city centre of Leiden with its historical buildings, museums, cheerful sidewalk cafés and intimate restaurants lies within walking distance. In 2014 the rooms, meeting rooms and restaurant were completely renovated.
Tripadvisor winner in 2015
This hotel is the first Hilton Garden Inn in the Netherlands and provides that ideal mix between high-quality accommodation and excellent facilities at competitive prices for business travellers and tourists alike.
Business guests, groups, meetings and families.
Spacious design, versatile hotel Highly suitable for business guests, groups, meetings and families. Part of the largest hotel chain in the world, InterContinentals Hotels Group. This will give you the benefit of the high international standard guarantee for service and quality.
Right in the middle of the characteristic city centre
This pleasant hotel is situated at one of the most beautiful canals in all of Europe, Rapenburg, and it is right in the middle of the characteristic city centre of Leiden.
Family hotel with spacious rooms
Family hotel with spacious rooms overlooking the water of the Oude Vest, one of the widest canals in Leiden, with historic facades. Right in the heart of Leiden city centre.
Ibis Hotel Leiden
Ibis Hotel Leiden
Very tasteful, listed conference hotel
Landgoed Oud-Poelgeest is like a luscious still-life where many famous people have gained their inspiration to continue their life’s works and make them known to the public. Herman Boerhaave, Jan Wolkers and other well-known individuals have reached their inner selves here at Kasteel Oud-Poelgeest and gained their inspiration from all the splendour present at the estate.
Rembrandt Hotel
Rembrandt Hotel
Table and wineglasses
Comfortable Bed
Luxurious villa in the city centre
Formerly the residence of the sexton of the monumental Pieterskerk Leiden, now a beautiful townhouse for a short stay in the heart of Leiden. After a thorough restoration, classic and design go hand in hand.
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