Leiden, 'Key City', birthplace of Rembrandt and student city par excellence,nl.

After having defeated the Spanish conquerors by breaking the dikes around Leiden in 1574, the Dutch government founded the first university , in 1575. The university was a gift to Leiden in order to say thanks to the brave defeaters of Leiden. Albert Einstein regularly visited the Leiden University in the early twentieth century. Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem Alexander studied here. People celebrate the liberation of Leiden, " Leiden Ontzet", by handing out bread and herring just like the ' Watergeuzen' did when they liberated the inhabitants , which is still celebrated, on the 3 rd of October each year. The first tulips, smuggled from Perzië, were cultivated in the Hortus Botanicus of Leiden 400 years ago. The guide is taking you to almshouses, university buildings, Rembrandt's atelier and other lovely spots.