You are standing in the historic centre of Leiden. It is still completely surrounded by a ring of medieval and 17th-century canals.

The Rijnsburger- and Morssingel were dug when the city expanded in 1611. They were part of the city’s defences, which also included thick earthworks and projecting bulwarks. The De Valk mill now stands on one of them. Until 1896 the canals formed the city limits.

From 1632 to 1867 the Rijnsburgerpoort stood on this spot. Up to 1865 farmers from Rijnsburg, fishmongers from Katwijk and others who entered the city here with goods to sell had to pay import duties. For that purpose there was a sort of tax office on the bridge.

In the 19th century the walls were razed to the ground. The Rijnsburgerpoort was encircled by a park, but soon this was built up. The Museum of Ethnology across the street was built in 1867-1870 as the municipal and teaching hospital. This was in response tot the cholera-epidemic of 1866. The hospital served as a nursing home until 1937.