Leiden

Today we decided to take a trip outside of Amsterdam. Leiden was our choice. Recommended by Rick Steves, our go-to travel advisor. A quaint university town with windmills and churches. We visited both. 

De Valk Windmill (1743)

A very large rotating windmill museum in the middle of town. We climbed up to the tippy top. This windmill is much taller than Jamestown’s because it had to be above the houses that surrounded it. The miller and his family lived on the first floor of the windmill. 

Here’s a video!!

(You may have go to the web version to view the video — click on the top of the email)

Leiden is also known as the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn. However, he left in his late teens for Amsterdam. 

A statue of Rembrandt as a young man painting his self portrait as an old man. 

The Pieterskerk 

This is a late-Gothic church in Leiden dedicated to Saint Peter. It is known today as the church of the Pilgrim Fathers. It was built in 1121 and was a Catholic church and then a Dutch Reformed church. 

So, we don’t just visit synagogues and cemeteries. This church, although, not in use now, is very impressive. Many families are buried in the floor of this church, including the Van Rijns, although not their son Rembrandt. They are just not sure exactly where. 

We had lunch at a small cafe in the church. Just right for two tired pilgrims. 

More Anne Frank

As I was writing this blog, Ralph told me about the following article in the NYT 

“Researchers Uncover Two Hidden Pages in Anne Frank’s Diary” https://nyti.ms/2GhNTHO

We were just across from the Anne Frank House after dinner tonight watching a school group leave the building.