Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #4 in Leiden, Netherlands

The Tevelingshofje is a courtyard in the Dutch city of Leiden, in the province of South Holland. The courtyard is located on the filled-in 4th Binnenvestgracht. The Tevelingshofje was founded in 1655 and built in 1666, commissioned by the Leiden merchants Jacob and Charles Tevel. During the plague epidemic of 1655, Charles Tevel had it laid down in his will that Jacob had to build a courtyard with 12 houses for childless couples over the age of 20 after his death. Jacob and his wife later had this expanded to twenty houses.

Wikipedia: Tevelingshofje (NL)

Het Plantsoen is a nineteenth-century city park in the city centre of the Dutch city of Leiden. It is also the name of the adjacent street. The Plantsoen is a municipal monument.

Wikipedia: Plantsoen (Leiden) (NL)

Bethlehemshof is a courtyard in the Dutch city of Leiden. It was founded in 1630 by the Leiden merchant Gerrit Frankens van Hoogmade, who also chose the name of the courtyard. In 1701 the Mennonites of this courtyard joined the courtyard De Houcksteen located on the Levendaal, but the board remained separate. In 1811, for financial reasons, both almshouses were merged under the name Bethlehem. In 1897, the part on the Levendaal was provided with a contemporary façade with an upper floor. In 1978 the courtyard was restored.

Wikipedia: Bethlehemshof (NL)

Barend van Namenhof is a courtyard at Hoefstraat 12 in the Dutch city of Leiden. The courtyard was founded in 1730 by merchant Barend van Namen for Reformed childless couples over the age of fifty. The courtyard consists of 12 houses. Three courtyard houses were designed by W.C. Mulder. The court was rebuilt in 1788. In 1915 it was completely renovated at the expense of regent C.W.J.W. Pape. This gave it its rich, distinguished impression, which is why it was also called "villahof". The courtyard has a regent's room and has the status of a national monument.

Wikipedia: Barend van Namenhof (NL)

Samuel de Zee's hof is a courtyard in the Dutch city of Leiden. The courtyard was founded in 1723 for destitute family members. The complex consists of 21 houses and is located on the Samuel de Zee's court. The entrance to the courtyard is located on the Doezastraat between house numbers 14 and 18 and contains the text: "Does god only give the honor for good dognie rich neeven ende nigten did Samuel de Zee dit bij sijn leeven stigten, 1723". After the entrance there is a gate with the text: "So was my sin: A yder talks after his understanding ~ but so it is not to your pleasure blyft then buyten k can with my gate not sluyten your mouth 1723 ~".

Wikipedia: Samuel de Zee's hof (NL)

The Old Observatory is the former observatory building of the Observatory of Leiden University in the Netherlands.

Wikipedia: Oude Sterrewacht (NL)

The Hortus botanicus of Leiden is the oldest botanical garden of the Netherlands, and one of the oldest in the world. It is located in the southwestern part of the historical centre of the city, between the Academy building and the old Leiden Observatory building.

Wikipedia: Hortus Botanicus Leiden (EN), Website

The Justus Carel House is the youngest courtyard in the Dutch city of Leiden. It is located at Witte Rozenstraat 51a in the Vreewijk.

Wikipedia: Justus Carelhuis (NL)