Huis van Leyden

Huis van Leyden is a classical residence on the Rapenburg canal in Leiden with a symmetrical sandstone facade featuring painted stonework. The front displays broad Ionic pilasters and decorative festoons above each window, typical of elevated architecture from that era.

Architect Arent van 's-Gravesande designed this classical residence in 1642 during a period of rapid expansion in Leiden. The Van Leyden family acquired the house later and held it for over a century as the city developed.

The house carries the name of the Van Leyden family, who occupied it for generations and furnished it with valuable objects and artworks. This collection shaped the appearance of the rooms and shows how wealthy merchants designed their living spaces.

The house sits at Rapenburg 48 in Leiden's historic center, across from university buildings. The canal and paved streets nearby are easy to reach on foot, and the exterior is clearly visible from the street.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Marie Louise received an audience here in 1811 during the French occupation and visited the house. This prestigious visit marked an important moment in the building's history.

Location: Leiden

Inception: 1642

Architects: Arent van 's-Gravesande

Architectural style: classicism

GPS coordinates: 52.15743,4.48604

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:07