Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
De Buskruitramp / The Gunpowder Disaster
Van der Werfpark
— Leidse Loper / Leiden Loop —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 24, 2022
1. De Buskruitramp / The Gunpowder Disaster Marker
Op 12 januari 1807 ontplofte hier in het Steenschuur een schip, volgeladen met buskruit. Een complete woonwijk werd door die enorme explosie weggevaagd. Ongeveer 160 mensen kwamen om en nog eens 2000 raakten gewond. Overal in de stad waren gebouwen beschadigd. Koning Lodewijk Napoleon hoorde de klap in Den Haag en was binnen enkele uren ter plaatse. Hij gaf persoonlijk leiding aan het reddingswerk en nam allerlei maatregelen om het leed te verzachten en de stad te herstellen.
De ramp trof Leiden in een periode van verval. De eens zo bloeiende textielnijverheid was in het slop geraakt en er heerste grote armoede. Daardoor bleef na de buskruitontploffing het rampgebied lang onbebouwd.
In 1884 verscheen op de zogenaamde 'Grote Ruďne' een standbeeld van burgemeester Van der Werf met daaromheen een park. Van der Werf werd beschouwd als een van de grote helden tijdens het Spaanse Beleg van Leiden in 1574. Hij zou de Leidse bevolking er van hebben weten te weerhouden zich over te geven aan de Spanjaarden. Uiteindelijk werd de stad bevrijd. Dit Leids Ontzet wordt jaarlijks gevierd
this page online
On 12 January 1807 a ship loaded with gunpowder exploded here in Steenschuur. An entire residential district was destroyed. About 160 people were killed and 2000 injured. Buildings were damaged all over the city. King Louis Bonaparte heard the blast in The Hague and was at the scene within hours. He took charge of the rescue efforts himself and did much to alleviate suffering and help the city recover.
The disaster struck Leiden at a time of decline. The textile industry had gone into a deep recession and there was great poverty. Consequently the scene of the disaster was left unbuilt on. In 1884 a statue of Burgomaster Van der Werf was erected on the so-called 'Great Ruin', with a park surrounding it. Van der Werf was regarded as one of the heroes of the Spanish siege in 1574. He is credited with persuading the people of Leiden not to surrender to the Spanish. In the end the city was liberated. The Relief of Leiden is celebrated each year on 3 October with a street party. The statue of Van der Werf still plays a role in these festivities as a meeting point.
Erected by Stad Leiden. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics. This historical marker
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 24, 2022
2. De Buskruitramp / The Gunpowder Disaster Marker - wide view
The marker is visible on the left side of the bridge. The park itself is directly across the canal and to the left.
Location. 52° 9.352′ N, 4° 29.353′ E. Marker is in Leiden, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). Marker is at the intersection of Steenschuur and Nieuwsteeg on Steenschuur. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leiden, Zuid-Holland 2311 GX, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Het koudste plekje op aarde / The Coldest Place on Earth (a few steps from this marker); Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: Vloeibarr Helium / Liquid Helium (within shouting distance of this marker); Drukkerij en Kantoor Uitgeversmaatschappij A.W. Sijthoff (within shouting distance of this marker); Willebrord Snel van Royen (Snellius 1580-1626) (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Lodewijkskerk / St. Louis Church (about 150 meters away); Philips van Leyden (about 180 meters away); Sint Pieters- of Van der Speckhofje / Van der Speck Almshouse (about 180 meters away); Jan Steen (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leiden.
Also see . . .
1. Leiden gunpowder disaster (Wikipedia). A bit more in-depth
Photographed By Regionaal Archief Leiden
3. Marker inset: Government representatives visiting the ruin in 1807.
2. Leiden gunpowder disaster (Wikimedia Commons). Wikimedia Commons has an extensive (100+) collection of articles, illustrations, woodcuts, etc. relating to the disaster. (Submitted on October 25, 2022.)
circa 1907
4. v.d. Werfpark
Van der Werf Park, with the statue of Mayor Van der Werf, installed in 1884 (as mentioned on the marker).
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
