Witte Rozenstraat 57, Leiden

The Ehrenfesthuis at Witte Rozenstraat is a residential monument in Leiden with four plastered facades and one closed street-facing side. Three sides oriented toward the garden display classical pediments and large windows typical of early 1900s architecture.

A Russian architect designed and built this house between 1913 and 1914, bringing elements from Saint Petersburg to Leiden. The building reflects the cross-cultural architectural exchange that emerged in the early 20th century.

The house served as a gathering place where visiting researchers and academics met to discuss their work. The living room functioned as a social center that brought together people from the scientific community.

The building retained its original heating system with horizontal pipes running along the walls, a method used in the early 20th century. This type of heat distribution is unusual for Dutch homes and shows how climate control was practiced in that era.

Visiting scientists inscribed their signatures on a dedicated wall in the guest room, creating a visual record of their stays. This wall stands as a rare document of the numerous intellectual gatherings that occurred within these walls.

Location: Leiden

Inception: 1914

Architects: Tatyana Afanasyeva

Address: Witte Rozenstraat 57

GPS coordinates: 52.15140,4.48381

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:44