Because
of the fact that most of you have never heard of Leiden. The Leiden Cubs are glad to give a
short summary of Leiden
and it’s history.
The history of Leiden is an eventful one.
Many monumental buildings, almshouses and alleys in the centre of the city have
witnessed historical events. The structure of the canals is typical of Leiden. Along these canals
and through the alleys many generations have found their way. Each and every
one of them lived their own tale. A history that is worth
saving and celebrating. The relief of Leiden
is just one example: The third of October is to this day a date which most
people in Leiden
celebrate.
The history of Leiden begins long before
our era. Remains have been found at various locations dating as far back as 500
to 100 BC. A permanent settlement was only established on the banks of the Rhine after the year 1000.
The Relief of Leiden
Willem of Orange gave Leiden a university in
1575. We are told he wanted to thank the city for its perseverance during the
Spanish siege of 1573-1574. It is far more probable that Leiden received a university because of its
central location. The strategic location was of crucial importance during the
Eighty Years’ War. On the third of October 1574 the Spanish oppressors left Leiden. The Spanish
occupiers were afraid because the surrounding land had been flooded and the Sea
Beggars were on their way. The relief of Leiden
was accomplished. Every year this event is celebrated in great style. All the
people of Leiden,
old and young, visit the large fair, sing along with the Beggars’ songs, watch
the historical parade and stay up all night at the local bars. The highlight of
the event is and will always be the meal that was also served in 1574 and
continues to taste so good: "hutspot", a
stew made of skirt, carrots, onions and potatoes, left behind by the fleeing Spanish who could not leave fast enough, and herring and
white bread which was brought to Leiden
by the Sea Beggars.
City of Refugees
The seventeenth century
was definitely a golden age for Leiden.
The university became famous, the city could be proud of its textile industry and
various well-known painters, such as Rembrandt van Rijn,
Jan van Goyen and Jan Steen lived and worked in Leiden. Leiden's most famous son is the painter Rembrandt Harmernszoon van Rijn. He was
born on the 15th of July 1606
in a pharmacy in the street called "Weddesteeg". From 1614 to 1620 he attended the Latin School
at the back side of the "Gravensteen" in Leiden. In 1623 he started
to work as an apprentice in the work shop of the Amsterdam painter Pieter Lastman
(1583-1633). Rembrandt is not the only famous painter from Leiden. All the painter from the 15th until
the 17th century are grouped into was is called the
"Leiden School". Lucas van Leyden lived in the city from 1489 until his death in 1533.
Jan Steen (1626-1679), who spent most of his life in Leiden, is seen as one of the most humorist
painters in The Netherlands. The Dutch expression "It looks like one of
the paintings of Jan Steen" is used to describe a funnily chaotic
situation. Leiden
was a prosperous city. The many refugees that sought safety in Leiden in the seventeenth
century were mainly responsible for the prosperity of the city. Tens of
thousands of French, Flemish and other foreigners fled from persecution and
oppression to Leiden.
Hospitality is still as common in Leiden
as it was in the past. It is not a fluke that the "Leiden,
Stad van Vluchtelingen"
(Leiden, City of Refugees) campaign has become a permanent
feature.
With the eighteenth and
nineteenth century came the recession. Economic recovery was not felt until the
start of the twentieth century.
Leiden Today
The mixture of knowledge
and culture is still typical of Leiden
judging by the large number of museums and platforms, the university and other
educational institutes and the quantity of knowledge companies. The list of museums
include: the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), National Museum of Ethnology (Rijksmuseum van Volkenkunde) and the University
History Museum
(Academisch
Historisch Museum).
Good Reason to Visit Leiden
A visit to Leiden is not complete without a walk to the Burcht (Leiden’s
citadel). You can virtually see the whole city from this old refuge. You will
see the many canals, church spires, narrow alleys, monumental buildings and
private almshouses that define Leiden.
Visit Leiden
and walk on the cobblestones of narrow streets, take a tour along our canals
and enjoy the historical façades, monuments and museums.
Leiden is located in the heart
of the Randstad and cities such as Amsterdam,
Rotterdam, The Hague
and Utrecht are
but a stone’s throw away. Schiphol, our international
airport, is also just fifteen minutes away. Leiden is easily reached due to its central
location be it by car or by public transport.
