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Leiden Loop

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The Leiden Loop is a walking tour in Leiden, Netherlands that visits nine different historical sights in the city. Signs around the city point you to the next stop on the tour. Each stop along the way has a poster telling visitors about the site and its history.

I found it very difficult to follow the signs from one stop to the next. Over three days of wandering around the city I think I finally figured it out, although I still couldn't find two of the stops. The signs point you in either direction on the loop, but there is definitely a correct way to go and a wrong way to go. So if you're going along the route and can't find the next sign, you may be going in the wrong direction.

Stops

Molen de Put

Leiden has two windmills in the city center - this one and the Molen De Valk (Mill of the Falcon). Many of the windmills in Leiden were torn down when the steam engine was invented. This windmill is a replica of the original. I'm pretty sure this is the first stop on the loop. There is a map at this stop showing where all the stops are that could help you follow the loop.

Rembrandtplein

This courtyard is located where Rembrandt was born and grew up in Leiden. The house he lived in is no longer present, but a statue and plaque commemorate the place.

Academiegebouw

The location of the first Protestant University in the Netherlands. You can also stop here for a visit to the Botanical Garden. The tulip was first introduced to the Netherlands in these gardens.

Gravensteen

Executions were once held in this square. This building is a 13th century prison. Across from it is the Latin school where Rembrandt studied as a child.

Pieterskerk

This church was under construction when I visited, so the sign was hiding somewhere. It looks like a very big church.

Rapenburg & Vliet

The river coming from under this bridge played a significant role in Leiden's history. William of Orange freed the city in 1574 from Spanish rule. His army entered the city from this spot.

Burcht

The Citadel of Leiden, built in 1150, is located high on an artificial hill. It offers some great views of the city. After walking up some stairs (or a ramp), you can enter the citadel (a small fort). Inside the citadel, visitors can also walk some stairs to an "upper level" that goes around the inside of the citadel. At the top here, there are some excellent views of the surrounding area, and some informational boards with various information.

Estimated Walking Time

The walk would probably take about 1-2 hours if you went through the entire thing at once. You may want to allocate an entire day since you'll probably see things to stop at along the way.