Leidseplein (English: Leiden Square) is a square in central Amsterdam, Netherlands. It lies in the Weteringschans neighborhood (Centrum borough), immediately northeast of the Singelgracht. It is located on the crossroads of the Weteringschans, Marnixstraat and Leidsestraat.
 The Stadsschouwburg on Leidseplein | |
  Location in Amsterdam-Centrum | |
| Namesake | Leiden[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nearest metro station | Vijzelgracht |
| Coordinates | 52°21′51″N 4°52′59″E / 52.364242°N 4.882978°E |
Leiden Square
editLeidseplein is one of the busiest centres for nightlife in the city. Historically, the square was the end of the road from Leiden; it served as a parking lot for horse-drawn traffic. Today, modern traffic travels through the square and side streets are packed with restaurants and nightclubs. The Stadsschouwburg, a national-renowned theatre, is the most notable architectural landmark on the square; the American Hotel is close by.[2]
2022 hostage crisis
editOn February 22, 2022, a 27 year old man took at least one person hostage inside of an Apple Store in Leidse Square. After a forced breach of the store by Dutch Police, all hostages were safely rescued. However, as a result of the breach, the hostage taker was killed.[3][4]
It is approximately 150 meters from where well known crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, a key figure in the Marengo trial, was murdered.[5][6]
Panorama
edit
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Waar komt de naam Leidseplein vandaan?" (in Dutch), Straatnamenkaart Amsterdam, Municipality of Amsterdam. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ Martin Dunford (2010). The Rough Guide to The Netherlands. Penguin. pp. 73–74. ISBN 978-1-84836-882-8.
- ^ "Amsterdam: gunman overpowered and all hostages free after Apple store siege – police". the Guardian. Reuters. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ Hague, Agence France-Presse in The (2022-02-24). "Amsterdam Apple store gunman dies of injuries". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ BBC, News (July 15, 2021). "Peter R de Vries: Dutch crime reporter dies after shooting". British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ News, BBC (9 April 2011). "Gunman kills six in Netherlands shopping centre". British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)