Visitor Center
Why do flowers often smell so wonderful? And some other plants are very horrible? Come smell it, see it and discover it in the visitor center in the Old Observatory. Suitable for young and old.
The role of scent in nature is central to the Fragrance Experience. Using some of our crown jewels, such as the Amorphophallus or penis plant, European orchids and Mediterranean herbs, you will learn what the different functions of scent are. For example, certain plants that smell attractive to humans actually deter insects. After a visit to the Fragrance Experience, you will walk through the gardens and greenhouses with a new look (and nose!). The Fragrance Experience is part of our fragrance year.
Fragrance workshop
At the Scent Experience you can follow a Scent Workshop in the Scent Workshop. Pre-registration is required. More information and registration.
How does space smell?
Not only on Earth but also in space, there are many interesting scents, though we can't smell them directly with our noses. In the space between the stars, chemical reactions occur that create molecules, some of which can become the building blocks of life. Astronomers use radio telescopes to identify these molecules and compare their observations with laboratory measurements. In one of the rooms at the Old Observatory visitor center, you can now smell scents found in the universe. Can you guess which scent belongs to which astronomical object?
Old Observatory
The Scent Experience is an initiative of the Hortus and Leiden Observatory, the astronomy institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University, which together create programs for the visitor center.
Lots to do and to see
From Wednesday to Sunday we organize guided tours at fixed times. During the tour, an astronomy student takes you to one of the oldest telescopes in the Netherlands and explains more about the exhibition.
The tour lasts approximately one hour.
When are the tours?
We have tours almost every day of the week at set times. The exact times are:
- Wednesdays through Fridays:
- 13:30-14:30
- 15:00-16:00
- Saturday and Sunday:
- 11:30-12:30
- 13:00-14:00
- 14:30-15:30
In which language are the tours?
The tours are standard in Dutch unless (part of) the group does not speak Dutch, in which cast the tour will be in English. Should there be Dutch visitors in the group who do not understand English, the tour will be given partly in Dutch and partly in English. Our tour guides are very flexible on this so please let them know what you prefer.
Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at the square in front of the Old Observatory. Due to construction in the Sterrenwachtlaan, you need to take an alternative route to get to the building. Starting at the Rapenburg, follow the signs in the Kolfmakersteeg and the 5e Binnenvestgracht.
Are you already visiting the Hortus Botanicus before the tour? Then you can reach the observatory through there. Walk towards the end of the Garden and make sure you arrive at the Old Observatory Visitor Center 10 minutes before the tour starts. The tour guide will pick people up there before going to the official starting point.
Want to come see the exhibition without a guided tour? You can!
The exhibition can be visited as part of a trip to the Hortus Botanicus. You can find us in the Hortus by walking all the way to the end of the garden. Click here for visitor information from the Hortus Botanicus Leiden.
We are open from Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.
