Burcht van Leiden, Medieval fortification in Leiden, Netherlands.
Burcht van Leiden is a round stone fortress built on an artificial mound at the meeting point of two Rhine River branches in central Leiden. The structure has thick walls forming a circular shape, and grass and trees cover the earthen hill beneath it.
The fortress was built during the 11th and 12th centuries as a defensive structure to protect the settlement of Leiden against invaders and flooding. It served at times as a customs post for ships traveling along the river routes.
The round stone structure is a landmark that residents of Leiden connect with their past and use as a public gathering space for walks and rest. Today visitors sit on the grass slopes and look across the city, making the fortress part of daily life in the area.
The monument is open daily without an entrance fee and can be visited from the outside to see the old structure and explore the grounds. Whether you walk up the mound on foot or stroll along the paths around the walls, the site is easily accessible from various directions.
The earthen mound was raised and rebuilt multiple times throughout the 11th century to gradually increase the defensive height. This building technique shows how people then strategically managed the landscape to strengthen their fortress.
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