Monday 4 October 2010

that's My World, ABC Wednesday, L for Leiden





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The photos are not mine but by courtesy of Wikipedia.


It's a pity that have only been at a few places in Leiden. I visited several times a museum and I studied English for some years, but I know that Leiden is a very beautiful city.The city of Leiden has a long history: university town since 1575, Leiden houses Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Centre. It is twinned with Oxford, the location of England's oldest university.Many members of our royal family studied here, including our Queen Beatrix, who studied law.

In 1572, the city sided with the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule and played an important role in the Eighty Years' War, which ended in 1648 and as a result of this war the Netherlands became an independent republic under the leadership of the Prince of Orange.

Besieged from May until October 1574 by the Spanish, Leiden was relieved by the cutting of the dikes, thus enabling ships to carry provisions to the inhabitants of the flooded town.

As a reward for the heroic defence of the previous year, the University of Leiden was founded by William I of Orange in 1575. Yearly on 3 October, the end of the siege is still celebrated in Leiden. Tradition tells that the citizens were offered the choice between a university and a certain exemption from taxes and chose the university.

The siege is notable also for being the first instance in Europe of the issuance of paper money, with paper taken from prayer books being stamped using coin dies when silver ran out.

That's my World is hosted by Klaus,Sandy,Ivar,Wren,Fishing Guy & Louise - a Team of experienced bloggers, whom we thank for this wonderful meme. You can see more of the world of other bloggers by clicking on the logo in the side bar or on that's My World



With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with L.

Townhall, Leiden



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43 comments:

Arija said...

Wonderful photos and history Wil. The baroque period really was the golden age of Holland.

Thank you for showing us this lovely city.

Dina said...

So many astonishing things in just a few paragraphs of history!

And Leiden looks so beautiful.

Dina said...

Except the chairs on the barge look a bit scary.

Sylvia K said...

Always love the photos of your world, along with the fascinating history that you share with us, Wil! What a beautiful city Leiden is! Hope you have a wonderful week! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a gorgeous city, Wil.. Loved reading the history also... Thanks so much for sharing Leiden with us... It's marvelous!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely to see these photos so soon after visiting the Netherlands, Wil. We went through Leiden on our way from Hillegom where my friends live to the Hague. From the train we could see the University Medical school and a huge new building. You live in such a beautiful country.

Anonymous said...

What a picturesque town - so pretty!

Paulie said...

Great photos and I enjoyed your commentary as well!

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

A beautiful place indeed. Your photos are lovely.

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

I do enjoy my Tuesday around the world trip. ~ thank you for being the tour guide.

Gizelle said...

Leiden means to be unfortunate (in german, i wonder what it means in dutch) but the photos you showed would mean the opposite! Beautiful and very enchanting place....would love to visit!

George said...

Thanks for these wonderful views of a very beautiful city. Thanks, too, for the information about Leiden.

Vicki Lane said...

I always enjoy these little tours -- so much to see and to learn!

Kay L. Davies said...

Leiden seems to be a place worth visiting. I will have to try to remember that when we are in the Netherlands next year.
Thank you for your beautiful photos.

Kay, Alberta

Martha Z said...

A lovely city with interesting history. Thank's for sharing.

Elisabeth said...

The architecture surrounded by canals is stunning, Reader. Holland in the summertime is wonderful.

My cousin has decided to leave holland and return to Austraila because her husband also a Dutchman can no longer bear the climate in Holland.

Even my mother who spent her first thirty years in Holland and lives now in Australia understands this.

Once you live in a more temperate climate it is hard to go back to those cold winters. But on the other hand there is so much we miss out on here, as these photos demonstrate.

Thanks, Reader Wil.

Indrani said...

Interesting bit of information, terrific shots. A beautiful place.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Hi Wil, came via Arija's site. glad you are going to Australia.

When were you last there? I love Queensland.

jabblog said...

Leiden looks beautiful and worth several visits.

Arkansas Patti said...

Just a breathtaking city, I always learn so much here. Leiden would be a "must see" if I ever made it that far. Thank you.
An eighty year war seems hard to comprehend. I can see why Oct.3rd is still celebrated.

Miss_Yves said...

Quelle belle ville!
Leyde ressemble un peu à Venise!

Merci de votre visite et de votre gentil commentaire sur Lilao, qui est très talentueux.

BraCom said...

Hele mooie serie, prachtige kleuren


Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram

My Word Tuesday post

Seen on My World Tuesday

Rune Eide said...

I always learn something new when I come to you site - and with very nice photos to support that new knowledge. Thank you!

Carver said...

What a beautiful place and great for the letter L. I wasn't familiar with Leiden so enjoyed this introduction to it.

Hildred said...

Great photos, - impressive that the people chose the University over a cut in taxes!!! Thank you for the history, and as always the wonderful history of your country.

Joy Palakkal said...

Beautiful Pictures!!
With All Best wishes...

Amy said...

Old world charm and an interesting history makes Leiden very appealing - thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos!

anthonynorth said...

That's a beautiful place, with quite a history.

Vinay Leo R. said...

lovely photographs all :) it was a pleasure to view the beauty!

My ABC Wednesday L

Roger Owen Green said...

Lovely city, indeed. Informative post, too.


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Wow. Always learn a whole bunch of things on everyone's ABC posts and this is one of them! Beautiful city.

Wendy said...

What a beautiful place, Wil...I could just smell the air and feel the energy come alive with your photos, loved it!

EG CameraGirl said...

It does indeed look like a beautiful city!

Kay said...

It was great fun seeing the photos and learning the history. I do remember seeing so much orange in the Netherlands.

Tumblewords: said...

A nice narrative of a beautiful period! Absolutely lovely!

Cloudia said...

I wish I might keep a token of Leiden in a jar!




Warm Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

photowannabe said...

What a wonderful charming city. It certainly has a fascinating history. Thank you for sharing the town with us. I would so love to visit there

Arts Web Show said...

Wow, some absolutely stunning architecture in this place

Singapore plants lover said...

Wow, such a peaceful and beautiful place...I wish I could be there one day.

Granny Smith said...

I love hearing (or reading) history that I have been unaware of. Thank you for the history lesson!

joco said...

Looks so inviting. Never been there. At least, I don't recognize it. Like a mini holiday, your post.

Nydia said...

Oh.. Those photos look like doll houses, so lovely they are! What a sweet place to live.

Thanks for sharing!

Kisses from Nydia.

Jeannette StG said...

Have been a few times in Delft because our friends lived there, but I don't think I've ever been in Leiden. Great pics, by the way!
Hard to picture queen Beatrix as a law student:)
Do you know if it was prescribed that she would study law (because she was the follower to the throne)?