Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Discover
Places to see
Netherlands
South Holland
Leiden

Hartebrug Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)

Discover
Places to see
Netherlands
South Holland
Leiden

Hartebrug Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)

Highlight • Religious Site

Hartebrug Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)

Recommended by 71 hikers out of 75

Save

Share

  • More

  • Save

    Share

  • More

  • Take Me There

    Routes here

    Best Hikes to Hartebrug Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)

    4.7

    (32)

    233

    hikers

    1. Rembrandt Park, Leiden – Morspoort, Leiden loop from Leiden Centraal

    6.45km

    01:39

    20m

    20m

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Navigate

    Send to Phone

    Easy

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Tips

    October 30, 2022

    Roman Catholic parish church, built in 1836 by Th. Molkenboer. It was the first openly Catholic church after Catholics were allowed to profess their faith publicly again from 1798. The original dome tower was replaced in 1892. The name refers to the Hartebrug, which lay here over the (now filled in) Mare. Popularly called the Coeliekerk, after the saying on the facade: "Hic domus Dei est et porta coeli" (Here is the house of God and the gate of heaven).

    Translated by Google •

      August 18, 2024

      The Hartebrugkerk is named after the bridge that was in front of it at the time.
      Officially it is called the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Imbachtig Recepten, but popularly it is called the Coeliekerk, after the Latin saying 'Hic Domus Dei est et Porta Coelie' above the gate.
      Porta Coelie means the gate to heaven in Latin.
      The building was designed by Theo Molkenboer, a well-known church builder in his time.
      The Hartebrugkerk dates from 1836.

      Translated by Google •

        April 30, 2025

        Impressive building in the heart of the city center

        Translated by Google •

          January 16, 2023

          Hartebrugkerk and Waag with a view of the place where the old and new Rhine meet. In the summer season you will find plenty of terraces here.

          Translated by Google •

            April 3, 2025

            Beautiful stately building that you would expect to find in a city abroad.

            Translated by Google •

              October 13, 2025

              The church with many names...The Catholic church is actually consecrated under the name "Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception."

              But for most Leiden residents, this is too long. They simply call the church Hartebrugkerk (Hartebruckekerk). Named after the bridge that used to cross the Mare in front of the church. Back then, the church was still located on the water. (The Mare is a branch of the Old Rhine. This section was drained in 1953, and with it, the bridge disappeared.) But the popular name has stuck.

              Some also call the church "Koeliekerk," derived from the Latin word "Coeli" (heaven). Below the triangular gable with the all-seeing eye of God is a Latin inscription: Hic Domus Dei est et Porta Coeli, which translates as: This is the house of God and the gate to heaven.

              The building was designed by Theo Molkenboer around 1825 and consecrated in 1836. Previously, the "Het witte hart" brewery stood on the square. Directly above the entrance is a semicircular relief bearing the dates 1940–1945. This was installed to commemorate the victims and dead of World War II. Large sandstone plaques are set into the wall on both sides of the entrance, bearing a psalm from the Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225.

              Next to the church was a Franciscan monastery. The monks came to Leiden as early as 580 years ago.

              Since the 14th century, a Chapel of Our Lady existed very close by (Onze-Liebfrauenplein). In 1364, it became the third parish church (after St. Peter's Church and the Hooglandse Church) and was called the Church of Our Lady.

              Translated by Google •

                October 13, 2025

                INTERIOR: The main church itself is separated by an ornate gate. When there is no service, the gate is closed. In the vestibule of the church, you can see a beautiful statue of Mary with the Christ Child in her arms.

                A second statue depicts St. Anthony of Padua. Today, people pray to him when they have lost something and want to find it. He is depicted here with a child in his arms, holding a piece of bread, and a poor man kneeling at his feet, to whom he offers a piece of bread.

                A note on the wall provides information: "St. Anthony, best friend, help me find my..." In the past, if this prayer was answered, one had to donate a loaf of bread to the poor, the so-called "St. Anthony's bread." Nowadays, the loaf of bread is replaced by a monetary gift. Hence the inscription: "St. Anthony's bread for the poor."

                Translated by Google •

                  In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

                  Sign up for free

                  Details

                  Informations

                  Elevation 0 m

                  Weather

                  Powered by AerisWeather

                  Today

                  Friday 14 November

                  13°C

                  9°C

                  100 %

                  If you start your activity now...

                  Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

                  Most visited during

                  January

                  February

                  March

                  April

                  May

                  June

                  July

                  August

                  September

                  October

                  November

                  December

                  Loading

                  Location: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

                  Other Popular Places to Check Out

                  Burcht van Leiden

                  Explore
                  RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
                  Download the app
                  Follow Us on Socials

                  © komoot GmbH

                  Privacy Policy