Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Vieze vollers en beroemde schilders / Filthy Fullers and Famous Painters
Langebrug
— Leidse Loper / Leiden Loop —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 24, 2022
1. Vieze vollers en beroemde schilders / Filthy Fullers and Famous Painters Marker
De smalle Langebrug was in de middeleeuwen een belangrijke gracht: de Voldersgracht. Deze naam verwijst naar het 'vollen' van geweven stoffen. Naakte 'vollers' stampten 's nachts met hun blote voeten urenlang op wollen stoffen in grote kuipen met een stinkende brij. De brij stonk zo doordat deze onder andere bestond uit urine. Door het vollen verviltte de stof en werd deze mooi egaal. Vanwege de stankoverlast werd het vollen in 1479 verbannen uit het centrum naar de rand van de stad.
In de 17de eeuw werd de Voldersgracht stukje voor stukje van stenen gewelven voorzien ('overkluisd'), totdat er aan het eind van de eeuw geen open water meer te zien was. De gracht was een lange brug geworden en kreeg ook die naam. In 1956 is ze definitief gedempt.
Aan de Voldersgracht woonden enkele beroemde schilders. Op de hoek met de Schoolsteeg staat het geboortehuis van Jan van Goyen (1596-1656). Op Langebrug 89 woonde Jacob van Swanenburgh, van wie Rembrandt van Rijn zijn eerste schilderlessen kreeg. Tussen nr. 91a en 89, voerde Jan Steen (1626-1679) een tijd zijn huishouden
this page online
Het poortje rechts gaf toegang tot de Penshal. Daar werd orgaan- en afvalvlees (pens, lever, nieren, uiers) verkocht onder stedelijk toezicht.
In the Middle Ages the narrow Langebrug ('Long Bridge') was an important canal called Voldersgracht. This name refers to the fulling of woven fabrics. During the night naked fullers stamped for hours with their bare feet on woollen cloth in large tubs containing a stinking mash. The smell was so bad because there was urine in the mash. As a result of fulling, the fabric became matted and nicely even.
In the 17th century bit by bit Voldersgracht was covered by stone vaults until by the end of the century no open water could be seen. The canal had been turned into one long bridge, and that was the name it was given. In 1956 it was finally filled in.
Several prominent painters lived on Voldersgracht. At the corner of Schoolsteeg stands the house in which Jan van Goyen (1596-1656) was born. Jacob van Swanenburgh, who gave Rembrandt van Rijn his first lessons in painting, lived at Langebrug 89. Jan Steen (1626-1679) lived for a while between no. 91a and 89, and opened a tavern here.
The gate on the right led to the Penshal. There offal (tripe, liver, kidneys, udders) was sold under municipal supervision.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 24, 2022
2. Filthy Fullers and Famous Painters Marker - wide view, looking south
The marker is visible here just to the left of the woman in blue.
Erected by Stad Leiden. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1479.
Location. 52° 9.489′ N, 4° 29.371′ E. Marker is in Leiden, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). Marker is on Langebrug. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leiden, Zuid-Holland 2311 SW, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jan Steen (within shouting distance of this marker); Sint Pieters- of Van der Speckhofje / Van der Speck Almshouse (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Philips van Leyden (about 120 meters away); Een Nieuw Stadhuis bij de oude markt / A New Town Hall on the Old Market (about 150 meters away); Latijnse School / Latin School (about 150 meters away); Nicolaas Beets (about 150 meters away); Albert Verwey (about 180 meters away); The Mayflower, 1620: In Memory of Rev. John Robinson, M.A. (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leiden.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 24, 2022
3. Filthy Fullers and Famous Painters Marker - wide view, looking north
July 24, 2022
4. Marker inset: Filthy Fullers and an inset map of Langebrug as a canal rather than a street
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
