Leiden

Rivers, canals and parks

The two branches of the Old Rhine which enter Leiden on the east unite in the centre of the town. The town is further intersected by numerous small and sombre canals with tree-bordered quays. On the south side of the town, the Hortus Botanicus and other gardens extend along the old Singel, or outer canal. The Van der Werff Park is named after the mayor Pieter Adriaanszoon van der Werff, who defended the town against the Spaniards in 1574. This open space was formed by the accidental explosion of a ship loaded with gunpowder in 1807 which destroyed hundreds of houses, including that of the Elsevier family of printers.

Related Topics:
Old Rhine - Canals - Quay - Hortus Botanicus - Garden - Park - Pieter Adriaanszoon van der Werff - 1574 - Explosion - Gunpowder - 1807 - Elsevier - Printers

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