Leiden, Netherlands
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Leiden, Netherlands
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leiden_%281%29.jpg
Author: Maarten
Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. The city itself covers 23.16 sq km (8.9 sq mi), but its urban area spreads to include surrounding suburbs and towns including Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten, Valkenburg, Rijnsburg and Katwijk. The city population is 117,000 (2011 estimate) while that of the urban area is 254,000.
The Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) at Leiden
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeidenOudeRijn.jpg
Author: Erik Zachte
Leiden is located on Oude Rijn (Old Rhine), one of the branches of the Rhine river as it fans out to form the Rhine Delta. The city is home to the oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575. Universiteit Leiden continues to be one of the most prestigious universities in the country today.
The city of Leiden traces its history to Roman times. It the 4th century, there was a Roman fortress erected there. The earliest settlement was built on a man-made hillock which is today known called Burcht van Leiden. The settlement was called Leithon in its earliest form.
Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhal, Leiden
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:De_Lakenhal_Leiden.jpg
Author: Michiel1972
In 1574, Leiden was beseiged by Spanish forces. It managed to survive by dismantling part of its dikes, thus enabling supply vessels to bring provisions to the townsfolks. The Siege of Leiden ultimately failed, and the victory is still being celebrated by Leiden today. The founding of Universiteit Leiden was a reward bestowed by William I of Orange on the town for defying the Spanish.
Visiting Leiden
Leiden is about 20 minutes from Schiphol airport by train. The train journey from Amsterdam is about 40 minutes.Places of Interest in Leiden
- De Burcht
12th century fortress on a man-made hill affording a splendid view of Leiden. - Hortus Botanicus Leiden
The Leiden Botanical Garden, founded in 1590 as part of its university, is today home to some extremely old plants and trees. It was tended by Carolus Clusius, the first professor of botany at Leiden University, who introduced tulips to the country. - Museum Boerhaave
Museum celebrating the works of famous Leiden physician Hermanus Boerhaave. It includes exhibits such pendulum clocks. - NaturalisThe national natural museum has displays of fossils, replica of animals, as well as mineral specimens and more.
- Pieterskerk
The main church in Leiden, this Gothic-style structure dates to the 15th century. - Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Museum celebrating ancient civilizations and cultures, with exhibits from ancient Egypt, Near East, Classical Antiquity and ancient artifacts from the Netherlands. - Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde
Ethnological museum in 1837 to showcase non-Western cultures. - Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhal
This is Leiden's municipal museum. Established in 1874, the museum exhibits a number of important artifacts, such as Lucas van Leyden's The Last Judgment
Leiden is 
on the map of the Netherlands
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