Information
Landmark: LeidsevaartCity: Haarlem
Country: Netherlands
Continent: Europe
Leidsevaart, Haarlem, Netherlands, Europe
Overview
The Leidsevaart, or Leidse Trekvaart, is a historic Dutch canal that runs from Haarlem to Leiden, once echoing with the creak of tow ropes and the splash of oars.It was a driving force behind the region’s growth in transportation, trade, and bustling cities during the Dutch Golden Age and long afterward, with ships crowding busy harbor docks.Let’s take a closer look at this historic waterway: the Leidsevaart, built in the early 1600s and officially opened in 1657, was a trekvaart-a tow canal where barges slid quietly through the water, pulled along the banks by horses or men on the towpath.The Leidsevaart once carried goods and passengers swiftly between Haarlem and Leiden, driving trade and prosperity in the towns along its 28-kilometer route through tulip-scented fields and past historic villages; though railways later stole its role as a major transport artery, the canal still winds through lush countryside and Golden Age drawbridges, linking into the Dutch waterway network and welcoming pleasure boats, cyclists, and walkers.The towpaths have been turned into lively cycling and walking routes that draw locals and tourists alike, where in spring the air carries the scent of tulips from the nearby Bollenstreek and small boats still glide along the canal, which helps manage the region’s water levels and links historic estates, bustling cities like Leiden and Haarlem, and landmarks such as Keukenhof Gardens.
