logo Visitopia
 
Leids ontzet (Liberation of the city of Leiden): 3 October
add to city guide
add review
pictures (5)
Leids ontzet Windmill and fairground attraction Hutspot dinner Fairground Live music at Leids ontzet
Location details
Information

The Siege of Leiden occured during the Eighty Year's War in 1573 and 1574, when the Spanish attempted to capture the rebelloius city of Leiden, but failed. In September 1574, the Dutch decided to break the dikes in the south to let in seawater and so relieve the siege. However, in the absence of storms, for months the water did not rise high enough to flood the area.

Thousands of inhabitants died of starvation. They held on because they knew that the Spanish would kill them all. Om 2 and 3 October, after the storms finally came, a relief force of Watergeuzen were approaching Leiden via flat-bottomed boats. The waterlogged Spanish army lifted the siege. The rebel fleets brought herring and white bread to the starving population. The people also got "hutspot". According to legend, a little orphan boy named Cornelis Joppenszoon found a cooking pot full with hutspot, the Spaniards had to leave behind when they left their camp in a hurry to escape from the rising water.

click to see more information Detailed information
click to see more information How to get there
click to see more information Opening hours and days
click to see more information Prices

reviews by travellers
Inhtisgs like this liven things up around here.
Reviewed by: Cherlin, Dominican Republic
create your own cityguide
chance free ipod when booking
explore the cities of:
europe Europe
north america North America
south america South America
asia Asia
africa Africa
oceania Oceania
Join us:
Join us, become a visitopian