old city of Leyden

According to the story, 10 years ago, the Dutch territory is always Rijn River estuary affected lymph drainage pollution from industries of Germany and Switzerland. Of course, the most persistent Dutch proposed joint management by both countries on the principle of bioregion and now men can be felt.

Leiden, the area has a population of 118 thousand inhabitants located in the city of Amsterdam, Den Haag, and Rotterdam, the city obtained title in 1266. As the name implies, comes from the word Leiden leithon”which means”are on the water line. The city is split by the river Rijn (Rhine), which sprout in the upper reaches Germany and Switzerland through the tributaries of the Big Wind Affairs.

City of Leiden in the segment of the top, forked river, known as Oud Neeuwe Rijn Rijn and who later joined in the center of town. The main river and two branches linked by small rivers which form the canal. In the summer, the canals were used as air travel, while in winter, when snow fell, a skating rink which is very interesting.



The river was clean, except as objects of tourism is also a comfortable habitat for ducks, geese, and seagulls. Not revealing the impression that the river’s estuary in the segment that if the developing countries like Indonesia into the trash can for the upstream region.

City of Leiden was very friendly as they provide a special lane for bicycles on each segment path. In each office, campus, public space, stations, terminals, or the mall provided adequate parking for bicycles. Commuter (commuters) from outside Leiden do not need to use a car to reach the city. They cycled daily and then parked at the station, and change train to the city of destination. Stress is not comfortable and more efficient.

Commuter from outside Leiden usually have two bicycles. One for from home to the station and vice versa. One more use for mobility in Leiden and drive to and from the station. It was conducted by the lecturers at the University of Leiden who lived in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Hagg, Naarden and Haarlem.

The pattern of such commuters is very possible because the train is very convenient, affordable, and timely as well as many choices with frequency every 10 minutes. Central station is also integrated with the bus terminal in order to provide convenience and choice for the user community.

Behavior of environmentally friendly vehicle that seems not only found in the small town of Leiden, but also in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two cities with a population of more than one million people. Leiden is also spelled out as a safe city.

Winter temperatures between 2 to 6 degrees Celsius, which is always accompanied by light rain did not make people reluctant to walk or bicycle as a primary medium mobility. The scene lasted from early morning until midnight. People passing by on the street corners of the city without fear disturbed, he even newcomers.

Leiden attraction, not only on the condition that is clean, tidy, friendly, and safe but also rich in ancient buildings are still preserved. Newcomers in the books of the Old City Kardux Joke writing and Eduard van de Bilt (2007) mentioned that the city’s landscape is dominated by the spirit of the church, among them the Pieterskerk (St. Peter’s) and St. Pancraskerk which became known as Kerk Hooglanse. Tetenger other ancient buildings still standing is the magnificent City Hall. There is a castle-like fortress named Visburg or de Burcht which was built in around the year 1050.

In a note, on a small hill fort was intended to stem the flood of river Rijn. But also tell if the castle was built as a defense for the attack Spanish troops at the time. Residents of Leiden is very proud of the fortress. Panorama of Leiden in the book mentioned that if you visit the city but did not stop at de Burcht, it just means you have not visited Leiden.

Truly unique. If the major cities of the world raced to build skyscrapers as tetenger to see all over town like Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, Toronto with the CN Tower, the Hancock Tower Boston, it is not the case with the pride of Leiden with a high castle is only ten feet above hill.

By standing on the castle Burcht which is the only building standing before the city of Leiden, 40 buildings and an important tourist town clearly visible from the Town Hall building, Pieterkerk Church, St. Pancraskerk, Windmill Museum, Morrspoort, Academy Building until Hortus Botanicus.

Leiden is also known as the city of Refugees. In the early 17th century, the city was a haven of English migrants before they move on to the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. Indications from the historical record can be seen from the ethnic composition of a very diverse population.

Saturday Market is very interesting to tourists hawking various foods from Indonesia, Surinam, Vietnam, Turkey, Morocco, China, and of course English. For migrants, for which there is information that says that they fled from the country in the UK because of differences of opinion about religious streams. Documentation of English migrants to explore the American continent with the Mayflower ship properly recorded.

If the track is from the 44th President of the United States, eight of them descendants of migrants who had been stopped in Leiden. One of the eight presidents is George W. Bush has ever bothered to visit Leiden in 1989.

Leiden chosen as a haven not because the city is very tolerant of newcomers. Morale was still looking strong today. Especially if we look at life on the campus of the University of Leiden Leiden is a city icon. 10 percent from 18 thousand college students come from all over the world that joined with the breath of life of Leiden in harmonious rhythm.

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