Crow-stepped gable at Kort Galgewater Leiden by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Crow-stepped gable at Kort Galgewater Leiden"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

Kort Galgewater is a historic and picturesque location in Leiden. Located at the edge of the old city centre, this waterway has a rich history and a special connection with the world-famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn.

Kort Galgewater is part of the Galgewater, a waterway that takes its name from the gallows that used to stand outside the city walls, where convicts were hanged as a deterrent example. In the 17th century, this was an important area for shipbuilding and trade, with warehouses and workshops along the quays.

On this canal was the studio of Rembrandt's teacher Jacob van Swanenburgh, where the young Rembrandt received his first painting lessons. Later, Rembrandt himself also had a studio here, before moving to Amsterdam and becoming world-famous. So this place played a crucial role in the early development of one of the greatest painters of all time.

Along the Kort Galgewater you will find beautiful Leiden stepped gables, a typical building style from the Golden Age. Historic ships and houseboats are docked, adding to the picturesque atmosphere. One of the most recognisable buildings is the Molen De Put windmill, a reconstruction of a 17th-century windmill that also stood here in Rembrandt's time.

The combination of water, historic buildings and windmills creates a romantic and timeless cityscape. At sunrise and sunset, the water reflects the warm hues of the old facades, making it a perfect location for photography and art.

In short, Kort Galgewater is a place where history, art and architecture come together.