Another sunny day spent well! I woke up, had breakfast at home and went to Amsterdam Centraal. At that moment I didn't know my destination. The plan was to take the first train from first platform. It wasn't exactly platform 1, but 2 and that took me to Leiden, a charming city in southern part of Netherlands. The ride was ~40 minutes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbbPkwpr7VEYpVe6G9KPYCytZUb7DCdFjiNQMNHFp06feRKvikB8bYDW6Acf7gHh8dlMaIFXnXxjHy9g4yE8UDDybniRfJVC0KBQYOv6ZmJV08QzOMKU8zwIeQuMUD_NYeMpp0TvXHn0/s640/IMG_0105.HEIC) |
Leiden Centraal |
First thing I did when I got off the train was to go to the tourist information centre and grab a paper map (for free). Yes! Today I didn't use Google maps and I manage to return to Amsterdam!
First stop: Molen de Valk (The Falcon), a tower mill dating from 1743. There is also a museum that you can visit it (I skipped it).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxrMBqHz8Kux50x3D_wnw-UMjd8JXWFxTHNMuAVEDzl_xg2zcXZuTZsaw4LJXLFSTTiaMf7R5VeQziD4lJHQoftaQ6TCScRAkrouyomnLuqrxuATTQqb7wDGRv-whz6lYBRawtF8xkVU/s640/IMG_0044.HEIC) |
Molen de Valk and its reflection in the river |
It was lovely to walk in the sunshine and enjoy this charming town.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92PPz3S48L1k_DfaYiPZXKRu633ilVFbpxC9jGhZ6dPTd-6RpimuHUeqjkegzT5ZpDPYV_2oRYx91FnjqBQXrTty5Pbv_O_crJmPVy-dlBwf3D_kSnLbkNADrpmiCebdm7HXkjcZ5Ob8/s640/IMG_0045.HEIC) |
Beestenmarkt, a central square which used to be a cattle market in the past |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn7qtidqp4Gc7npu-ktiD5pBPg3cG0o5EFjBxL7-AHaOcmHu5_k68TvzuR1BFN08N-1Wm_W7qJPpQIQUMKtHA4p6aiqkBefu7qy5ISG5dkR2VE4JgeHE8xRpqt_Om2CN-HI3FPALyZ0Q/s640/IMG_0056.HEIC) |
One of the busiest canals with a lot of cafes |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOb7Ldvzk803w9LPAUYGCTQ18EC2Mel6Rf7b7hGzeldKrTm7InXvtYW1rH0zRvY0aPumMKQGmGWAqEEBPon8OcRXWUrdUVgpNE1H5orppwnEcaKzpiHgDIBybeahdhIP9rFYU9_b_jmc/s640/IMG_0060.HEIC) |
I wonder what's behind that gate |
Leiden is the City of Keys; the motif of keys can be seen all over the city.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLTVlTkVWKhYg_XC1CC_M3G4Im0PWuNvCoPXtKOHkluQeSUKuXKki7DfFIfkBd8hkPU6gr31RAxHkJxX1Ck5ubI99JDOVmzd4ojzp9g33R4bwlk_-ymfZEK_U2Tl8r2dZSuhUwl-7Ing/s640/IMG_0062.HEIC) |
Behind the gate is the city citadel |
Leiden's citadel dates from 1150.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1jwNy1antU2G_xFAOXMmO6nZP4iozu2Aqj4eoJDZdBxa65hMk_GSbr_vR507HsD75UAl-yAyOof4znCmhX-KHuVEnmgpNE2IRW1ZvOfpIPKxuw7Mn-cCXytypW1njnHma0q9nbt3bvA/s640/IMG_0064.HEIC) |
Interior courtyard of the citadel |
A walk along the battlements of the citadel gives you a unique view over Leiden and its historic sights.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRVf7m_EzzW-Fo4oX1MSAx1G4eh3flxKJPa30XANcYQSJsHPKHQhnLsO1OVTz2cyoCc6i_Mu5tvvWkCvhVUwdUyO0yadpauy_OmMkPSSeYLLNUp-y_WQIWgnHspkYnf9uGv2UE3KfwBY/s640/IMG_0072.HEIC) |
Panoramic view from the citadel with Hooglandse Kerk in the background |
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVI8phyzmDa9mEfm8qN3iOcqG1tE24bpNmCDJodORMzlWgZ9j0uDXPYOeKInSQnjM51JiKxLakNE8pUBrCzFCb5SGEgDDzVghU6C9jHN0TJt-HATZwbTeAKWoby7haW7hmVbNtgUhtyw/s640/IMG_0080.HEIC) |
Closer view of Hooglandse Kerk |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hm9sLpzRlTycl9IsmcBvI6c9FLdZKO1o4hOCL_-CpqCZC0VxP0WOvZENkhK1IKRtGh-3TSXep-hIjhUF4_OvgjKRHdrvKBj7WK9eTBqvauQsaJv377IndMU0S912KUnmSfWAGrpVKys/s640/IMG_0083.HEIC) |
Kootje and Kaatje Orphanage. The orphans were used as textile workers |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoRxUpUfZUB3Hrm4pcqY3a88Goxie0z8s0nJky_sHljGNYom1uABlQlgAL7-aqqY4LO1IUfDavxMPAoXi0kpNj9icRHIT1InuRNpIE26CAByToG7s2w7GvzCX8RdAl6gx_lboMFFXP_E/s640/IMG_0085.HEIC) |
Quiet canal |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j8D4JSCDmX5nPYN6Q3HGEddtw60E-cUmQew2ttLMq38yteTCMqioESF7E_5IQ4_ogtnXK6KDXEP-d1GJagATCZGFjmiCjx-_jFJDe06DdkU9VRziC9RsRmCpmIMf0NlMPrxZj2Vpy-Y/s640/IMG_0086.HEIC) |
Meow! |
Spring is here!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUe2gSwRHAIPkrDtNJAqHgentJ5x5gC9EHRM1PdkOQICqVeeMa4S7GDTUuFofMW_HvePAx8I1orGiwpMfs9Myk8DOONwxtSSU8nJ_WPrO5SYeclZG7HDk8yIG5veJ3hNNL7DwiWxHV8U/s640/IMG_0092.HEIC) |
Scented blossomed flowers! |
If you move away from the main canals you might find a hidden gem!
Tot ziens!
Comments
Post a Comment