Leiden Castle - Leiden

Archaeological excavations show that Leiden Castle has a history dating back more than 1,000 years. At the end of the first millennium, the site of the present castle was covered with trees and included a wooden structure. The building was constructed on a ten-metre-high hill and had a well in the centre.

At the beginning of the 12th century, the Leiden Castle was completed with volcanic tuff stone. Due to various wars, little remained of this building material and the gaps were filled with medieval bricks (monk bricks). The Leiden Castle is a classic example of a motte-and-bailey castle.

Due to rapid population growth in the late Middle Ages and the associated economic prosperity, Leiden Castle became built up and lost its military function. As a result, the population began to use the complex as a kind of city park. In the 17th century, Pieter Post designed the classicist entrance gate that is still standing today. At the foot of the hill stands an elegant wrought-iron gate from 1653 between two late Gothic pillars. This front gate of the castle was designed by Willem van der Helm and features sculptures by Rombout Verhulst.