Leiden has 35 courtyards in the city. These courtyards are all old places, and where it seems as if time has stood still.


Often there is only one entrance and exit, through a corridor or a hallway opening onto the public road. Usually there was a door, which the opening and closing times was watching (so at the appointed hour the gate closed and no one getting into). .

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Almshouses were usually founded by wealthy, elderly people. No doubt they hoped that, after their death, the prayers of the residents would help in gaining a place in heaven.