Prosperity
Cross the street via the zebra crossing and walk past the swan on the side wall, to the town hall square.
From here you can easily spot the weather vane on the tower of the town hall, which used to be on the Laken Hall.
Due to the large production of the Leiden Laken fabric, the city was very wealthy.
From the 15th century it became the second largest city in the Netherlands and in the 17th century Leiden was the largest textile center in the world!
The hallmarks of the fabric, the ‘Lakenloodje’ or Lakencloth lead, have been found all over the world.
At the Koornbrug bridge there’s a Lakencloth salesman.
When you’re in front of him, turn right.