Leiden’s Almshouses

There are 35 groups of almshouses in the city centre of Leiden. One for one, these almshouses complexes are idyllic places, where the noise of the town is shut out and where it is as if the time has stood still. Almshouses were run by charitable foundations, intended to accommodate the elderly poor. The Dutch word for almshouse or group of almshouses is "hof", which literally means court of courtyard, and the are so called because they were built as a collection of small houses around a communal inner yard or garden. There is often only one entrance and exit, which, via a passage or a hallway, opens on to the public road.  Almshouses were usually founded by rich elderly people. No doubt they hoped that after their deths, the prayers of the residents would enable them to gain a place in heaven. If the founding of almshouses was laid down in a will, the executors of the will were obliged to undertake the building of the almshouses. In some cases the founders began building during their own lifetimes.

Leiden’s Canal Tours

Not only Amsterdam is a city rich of canals. In Leiden you will also be able to enjoy the beauty of the city by boat. Several companies offer boat trips which take you along the canals of Leiden.
From the boat you have a splendid view of the many beautiful monuments and their lively terraces of Rembrandts birthplace.

Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn was born in the Weddesteeg in Leiden and lived and worked in Leiden until his 26th year. Those were important years. He was taught the classics at the "Latin School" and then he decided to become a painter. Once he had finished his apprenticeship, he set himself up in Leiden as an independent painter. Many a masterpiece was created in his Leiden studio, where he also developed his famous light-and-dark technique. Rembrandt's parents are buried in the same church as Jan Steen and Gerrit Dou; The Pieterskerk.

Wall Poems in Leiden

The city of Leiden is decorated throughout with surprising 'wall poems'. These poems are part of the project "Poems and walls", which began in 1992 with a poem by the Russian poet Marina Tsvetajeva. That poem was the start of a long series that continues to grow. Placing poems on the walls was a private initiative by the foundation 'TEGEN-BEELD' of Ben Walenkamp and Jan-Willem Bruins. Various private and corporate sponsors have also supported the project. The foundation focuses on the relationship between language and image.

The poems, which were written in many different languages, are meant to be for everybody. In most cases a small plaque is placed beneath the poem containing translations in Dutch and English. James Brockway did most of the English translations.