LEIDEN (preview)

leiden was founded in 860, in an area were two streams of the river rhine met. for several centuries it was a small town, yet from about 1500 onwards it florished. the city's shape is characterized by channels and bridges; it was surrounded by city walls. in 1575 leiden university was founded, the oldest university of the netherlands. in spite of bombings during world war 2, many historic buildings survived and are taken care of, as well as a notable windmill.