Meermanshof

The Meermansburg is the only group of almshouses in Leiden which carries the title of "court" on account of its size. In the Middle Ages a Cloister called Nazareth was situated here, which was replaced in 1596 by a complex of 63 small back-to-back labourers' houses. In 1680 Maerten Meerman pulled down the by now dilapidated houses in order to build almshouses. The Court was rebuilt in 1778-1780 and a magnificent stucco ceiling was added to the Governor's Room. In the middle of the inner yard you will see the water pump, crowned with a citadel and a merman, which is a reference to the founders. In 1977-1979 the almshouses were extensively restored.