Leiden European City of Science

Exhibitions · Photography · Asian Special Collections

Schaefers’s daguerreotypes of the Borobudur

In 1844, the German photographer Adolf Schaefer was recommended by Ph. F. von Siebold, advisor to the Ministry of the Colonies, to document the antiquities of the island of Java.

Anouk Mansfeld • 23-09-2019

Maps and Atlases

The cartography of Captain James Cook

It must have been quite the sight. On the 3rd of June 1769 – now 250 years ago – Englishmen were on the island of Tahiti looking through high-quality telescopes to watch a rare natural phenomenon: the transit of Venus across the face of the Sun.

Guest author • 02-06-2019

Photography

A professional Dutch wide-angle stereo camera (1902), designed by Major General Van Albada

The first Dutch stereographic camera was designed and manufactured by a Major General of the Dutch army, L.E.W. (Lieuwe) van Albada (1868-1955). It appeared on the professional market in 1902.

Maartje van den Heuvel + 1 other • 10-07-2018

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Tools and supplies for discovering space in 1798

Leiden University has a long history in studying space, which is reflected in the collections held at Leiden University Libraries. An inventory of the university's obervatory gives insight in the tools and supplies needed for discovering space in 1798.

Mart van Duijn • 28-06-2018

Asian Special Collections

The making of Voyage of Discovery

Alexander Reeuwijk on Voyage of Discovery: Exploring the Collections of the Asian Library at Leiden University

Guest author • 26-02-2018

Asian Special Collections · Maps and Atlases

A disastrous fortification

Walls of the settlement at Bimilipatnam collapsed due to disastrous construction. VOC authorities were furious.

Guest author • 23-01-2018

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters · Maps and Atlases

Sailing to Asia

The Western manuscripts collection contains valuable treasures leading their readers to the Asian continent. Eleven historical travel journals are now digitized.

Mart van Duijn • 21-12-2017

Exhibitions · Photography

Urban Jungle: Megacities in Asia

The world's largest cities and acclaimed photographer Martin Roemers

Maartje van den Heuvel + 1 other • 02-10-2017