Descrizione Tour

Venture further afield if you want to know the Netherlands. Let’s start with a shining example of a genuine Dutch city: Leiden!

Thanks to the strong connection with  its past, the tourist feels here much closer to the Golden Age than in Amsterdam.

Leiden has got a rich cultural heritage. In the 17^th century It has hosted all the ones who were not welcomed elsewhere. Among these, the Pilgrim Fathers to whom the city has dedicated a really evocative museum.

It is also known as the city of knowledge because the first Dutch university was founded here in 1575.

Actually Leiden is an open-air museum with the magnificent late-gothic cathedral of St. Pieterskerk and the impressive Hooglandsee Kerk, the botanical gardens, amazing drawbridges and several magnificent buildings with picturesque façades.

From a higher position the old fortress called “De Burcht” provides an astonishing view over the old town. You’ll like all its splendour by wandering along the medieval narrow streets, discovering the true icon of the city: De Walk windmill built in 1743 which definitely deserves a visit.

Walking across the two survived gatehouses from 1669, we will admire the surrounding canals, Morspoort bridge and a replica of Jan Jansenzoon Put’s post mill dating back to 1619.

In that area we’ll tread on Rembrandt’s footsteps since he was born here in 1606.

Right In 2019, 350 years after his death, Leiden celebrates him in many different ways. We are going to visit his “Young studio” watching a beautiful 7-minute video about his life.

Here you can breathe art everywhere. Wandering along the cobblestone streets you will be struck by some famous poems that are carefully hand-painted on public walls. It’s part of a project started in 1992 that includes over 100 poems from all over the world (from Shakespeare to Garcia Lorca) written in their original language on buildings and bridges throughout the city. Moreover the city holds 35 marvellous hidden gardens traditionally called “hofjes”some of which will be detected by us! Be ready with your camera to record all these beautiful memories!