Leyden - De Burcht

The Burgsteeg leads to the Burcht (Castle), which is entered through a gateway displaying the figure of a lion with Leiden's coat of arms. About 1150 a 12m/40ft high mound of sand was built up here, at the confluence of the Old and the New Rhine, to provide a refuge from flooding; and additional protection was provided by a circuit of walls 35m/38yd in diameter, two canals, one at the foot of the hill and one rather farther away (the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, now filled in) and later a sentry-walk round the walls.

A keep was planned but was never built. In the 17th century a tower was built bearing the arms of the burgomasters, who between 1651 and 1764 were also burgraves (governors of the castle). During the most recent restoration work the original gateway of the castle on the opposite side from the present entrance, which had long been walled up, was reopened. From the castle there are fine panoramic views of the surrounding area.