Summer Holidays in the Leiden Region

Did you know that the Pilgrim Fathers lived in Leiden for twelve years before leaving for America? Seen as the founders of the United States of America, the Pilgrim Fathers have around 25 million American descendants today. Did they take anything from their Leiden period with them to America?

Leiden has no fewer than 35 courtyards (hofjes). Anyone unsuspectingly opening a door between two houses can suddenly find themselves standing in a beautiful historic courtyard! Every courtyard has its own story to tell. Many of the courtyards are still inhabited and, to be honest, who wouldn't want to live here? Almost all the courtyards can be visited, but please respect the residents’ privacy.

Created jointly with Leiden University Libraries, the exhibition "Maps: Navigate & Manipulate" in Museum Volkenkunde shows the variety and beauty of maps from around the world, and looks at how the creator chooses which version of reality we see.

From April 6 to December 18, the Castle Duivenvoorde in Voorschoten will open its doors to the public for the exhibition "Franje & Oranje" (Fringe & Orange) on the Dutch Royal Family, which shows the family's connection to Castle Duivenvoorde. 

From May 4 until August 27, the JapanMuseum SieboldHuis will host a new exhibition about Japanese fables and fairy tales in which animals and demons are central. 

From April 22 to September 3, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden is hosting a new exhibition entitled "Kemet: Egypt in hip-hop, jazz, soul & funk". This exhibition focuses on music and events related to ancient Egyptian culture.

From April 18, the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave will host the exhibition "Unimaginable", bringing the visitors as close as possible to Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. You are, as it were, looking over his seventeenth-century shoulder.