Getting Ready to Start School in Leiden

I got back from England a few days ago, and yesterday I went to Leiden to get ready to start school at the University.  Leiden is a beautiful city built close to the Rijn River with numerous canals channeling the water under bridges, beside stately brick houses, and along cobblestone walkways.  The bright sunlight in this picture looks deceptively warm.  It was freezing!  I did not bring a hat or gloves, and I nearly froze to death  in the wind blowing off the canals.  By the time I got home my hands were so numb that it took several tries before I could even unlock the door!

Rembrandt van Rijn was born in Leiden--not far from the Rijn River.  Leiden was a refuge for Protestants from all over Europe, and the Pilgrims lived here for a time before returning to England and setting sail on the Mayflower.

The University was founded in 1574 by William the Silent after the people of Leiden triumphed over the Spanish army, which had been laying a deadly siege against the city.  The classrooms, faculty offices, and housing for students are scattered throughout Leiden.  This picture is of the Stadhuis, a government administration building downtown.

This beautiful building houses the performing arts.  It is just down the street from the Stadhuis.

The International Students Office is located in an old jail in the courtyard of St. Peter's Church.  The prison was refurbished long ago, but there are still bars on some of the windows!  The Reformation converted this large Gothic church into a Protestant sanctuary, but the city's coat of arms still bears the keys of St. Peter--a reminder of the old patron saint of Catholic Leiden.

But ...even in a Protestant city like Leiden, I can always still find the Catholic church!