Categories: Colonization

On Bradford’s Trail: Leiden

Bradford lived in Leiden during a truly formative period of his life, and we spent several days here. It has many historic buildings preserved, and it might be the most beautiful city that I’ve ever been to.

An iconic windmill on a Leiden canal. There were once many windmills on the walls around the city.
An old castle tower sits in the center of town, on top of a rare hill in the Netherlands.
The street leading to Pieterskerk, near where many Pilgrims lived and worshipped
Today one corner of the church is dedicated to commemorating the Pilgrims’ time in the city
This is the site of the “Green Close”, John Robinson’s home and the Pilgrims’ place of worship for a time. This building dates to just after their time
This church dates from Bradford’s time. It was used for the cloth trade, and he may have visited it for business purposes
We visited one museum with a large exhibit on the 1574 Siege of Leiden, a critical event in the city’s history
Leiden City Hall, where Bradford was married
Hooglandse Kerk, another Dutch Reformed church of the Pilgrim’s time
Joshua Horn

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