pieterskerk

For me it was the most contradictory and unusual visit at Leiden. On the one hand, the chirch is real center of the town with impressive history and view. And you feel touch of past when walking around. On the other, during my visit they were preparing for some event. And there were modern decorations and sounds of hammers mixed with organ music. It's a pity for me.

I've been researching my genealogy, so while in the Netherlands my husband & I visited Pieterskirk in Leiden because several of my Pilgrim ancestors were baptized or married in Leiden. What a great experience! The church is located in a picturesque neighborhood of 18th C. buildings, although the church itself is older. The American pilgrims, who were mostly British spent 11 yrs in Leiden before they sailed for the New World. (They actually lived & worshiped in an adjacent building.) There is a monument to the Pilgrims outside the church. The inside is decorated plainly, in the Puritan style & some Pilgrims are buried in the church. A very well-informed young lady gave us a tour. Then we had a beverage afterward in the cafe & bought a book on the history of the church. I was a day I'll remember for a long time.

The Church is well worth a visit, especially for the Pilgrim Father exhibition, although the architecture, memorial monuments and other elements of church furniture are really interesting. Very good detailed information sheets which are available in multiple languages. There is small entrance fee which gives a discount on the cafe. The cafe is lovely and inexpensive, so altogether, this is really well worth visiting.

We did not visit while they were open, but the signs explaining the history of this church (and the keys you see everywhere) were so interesting. Be sure to visit the small area north (east?) of the church. You can see the different bricks of the former jail and public execution area, plus the Latin school Rembrandt attended. We just loved Leiden.

Great stop on a rainy day - surprised by the Pilgrim connection. Atmosphere, although not a functioning church, was very reverent and still felt like a church, not a museum.

The little restaurant that has recently opened at the Pieterskerk is a great addition to the place. Enjoyed an excellent light meal.

Many don't know Leiden was home to the Pilgrims before they came to the New World. This beautiful church (inside and out) was home to them and their place of worship for 7 years. There are no more regular services here, however on Thanksgiving there is a non-denominational service here in English to commemorate the Pilgrims having lived here. It is quite well attended, being so close to the Hague and the large international community.

Some beautiful touches in this church, well worth a look. It's a bit on the empty side, however. Still, the glass and the monuments are worth a look.

The surrounding are of the church is just too cute and picturesque that you can't not come here :) I went inside I can recommend the visit as the church is beautiful if you ask me, inside and out, but as I said please explore the area even if you decide not to go in. There's also cute little cafés close by! Definitely worth a visit this area of Leiden! :)

This church is impressive as its gothic architecture is different from the surrounding buildings. Not much decoration inside, but still look beautiful. On the day I came, they prepared for the marathon on next day and people sold sporting goods inside the church. Regretfully, no more worship and the church seems not to be a church any more.

This church is very beautiful from the outside and also from the inside even when it is almost empty, you can observe its architecture. While you visit it you can also walk around it and enjoy its amazing surroundings, and if you visit it on wednesday or saturday you can also enjoy the open market by the canal, which is also very nice.

This is a lovely Gothic 15th century church.While it's facade and exteriors seem very impressive, the church's interior is very simple.There was a marketplace held inside the church as we were visiting, which gave the place an even simpler look.Don't miss the magnificent organ.15 minutes ought to do it.

Very typical gothic cathedral. The organs were stunning, and it would have been nice to go to a performance here. Otherwise, not much different from other Catholic gothic cathedrals throughout Europe. Nice contrast to the mostly Protestant churches.

Absolutely stunning. To see and learn the history of this place. Only drawback when we attendee they were setting up for a function so we could not access all areas but what we saw made it excellent

St. Pancras, known as the Hooglandse Kerk or Highland Church, is not listed as a destination on Trip Advisor in Leiden, but we visited it and I thought it was worthy of a destination, so I put it here for those interested in churches. From the Citadel of Leiden, a fortress on a small hill, it has a commanding skyline presence. It is extremely tall. St. Pancras was built in the 14th century and in its heyday it had 24 altars dedicated to 54 different saints. In August 1566 during the "beeldenstorm" (the "statue storm"), Calvinist iconoclasts ransacked the church, destroying the furnishings, artworks and archives. In 1572, St. Pancras was converted to a Protestant Church and remains so today. It had other setbacks. In 1807 a ship loaded with blackpowder exploded in a canal and the church was badly damaged and they considered demolishing it. Then it had extensive damage again during World War II. Of all the Protestant churches I've been to in Europe, many of them converted from Catholic churches during the Reformation, this provides the greatest contrast as to some of the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. St. Pancras church is huge, high, has long thin windows, great internal space, yet it seems virtually devoid of art, decoration, and stained glass windows. The windows, the space, are all begging for decoration and they are ominously missing. I would love a before and after picture of it in its early glory and what it is now (not passing judgment in theological terms as I am neither Catholic or Protestant). It almost feels like a warehouse now, empty of most of its contents.