From castle mound to stone ring wall
- The castle mound was raised in stages in the 9th and 10th centuries.
- A wooden fortification stood here in the 11th century.
- The stone ring wall was built in the second half of the 12th century.
- From the ring wall you can look across the old centre's rooftops and churches.
Between two branches of the Rhine
The ring-wall fort stands on an artificial mound near the meeting point of the Old and New Rhine. This elevated position made it a strategic site in medieval Leiden.
Combine it with
- The Hooglandse Kerk and Nieuwe Rijn are close to the castle mound.
- On Saturdays, combine De Burcht with the nearby city-centre market.
- The Koornbrug and De Waag are on the same side of the old centre.
Location, opening hours & tickets
Address
De BurchtBurgsteeg
2312 JR Leiden
10-minute walk from Leiden Centraal
Opening hours
Opening hours and prices are indicative — check the official website before your visit, especially around public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to De Burcht?
- De Burcht is a 10-minute walk from Leiden Centraal.
Continue exploring Leiden
- Leiden museumsDiscover 13 museums in Leiden, from Naturalis and the National Museum of Antiquities to De Lakenhal, Boerhaave and De Valk, with tickets and visitor tips.
- Hortus botanicusFounded in 1590, the Hortus botanicus Leiden holds Clusius' tulip garden, tropical glasshouses, a Japanese garden and 300-year-old trees. Visitor guide.
- De Valk windmillVisit Molen De Valk, Leiden's historic windmill museum at 2e Binnenvestgracht 1, close to Leiden Centraal, with city views and visitor tips.
- Local heroesStories from Leiden locals and historic residents: Rembrandt, Boerhaave and Jan van Hout, plus insider tips on hidden corners of the City of Keys.