{{short description|Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands}} {{Use British English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox street | name = Leidseplein | marker_image = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alternate_name = | image = Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam 2335.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | image_map = | caption = The Stadsschouwburg on Leidseplein | map_type = Netherlands Amsterdam Central | map_size = 250px | map_caption = Location in Amsterdam-Centrum | map_alt = | other_name = | former_names = | part_of = | namesake = Leiden<ref>"Waar komt de naam Leidseplein vandaan?" (in Dutch), ''[https://www.amsterdam.nl/bestuur-organisatie/organisatie/dienstverlening/basisinformatie/straten-amsterdam/straatnamenkaart-amsterdam/ Straatnamenkaart Amsterdam]'', Municipality of Amsterdam. Retrieved 6 August 2021.</ref> | type = | owner = | maint = | length = | length_m = | length_ft = | length_km = | length_mi = | length_ref = | length_notes = | width = | area = | addresses = | location = Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands | arrondissement = | quarter = | postal_code = | metro = Vijzelgracht | coordinates = {{coord|52.364242|N|4.882978|E|type:landmark_region:NL|display=title,inline}} | direction_a = | terminus_a = | direction_b = | terminus_b = | junction = | north = | east = | south = | west = | main_contractor = | cost = | references = | commissioning_date = | construction_start_date = | completion_date = | inauguration_date = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | demolition_date = | designer = | known_for = | status = | website = {{Official URL}} }} '''Leidseplein''' (English: Leiden Square) is a square in central Amsterdam, Netherlands. It lies in the Weteringschans neighbourhood (Centrum borough), immediately northeast of the Singelgracht. It is located on the crossroads of the Weteringschans, Marnixstraat and Leidsestraat.
== Leiden Square == Leidseplein is one of the busiest centres for nightlife in the city. Historically, the square was the end of the road from Leiden; it served as a parking lot for horse-drawn traffic. Today, modern traffic travels through the square and side streets are packed with restaurants and nightclubs. The Stadsschouwburg, a national-renowned theatre, is the most notable architectural landmark on the square; the American Hotel is close by.<ref name="Dunford2010">{{cite book|author=Martin Dunford|title=The Rough Guide to The Netherlands|year=2010|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-84836-882-8|pages=73–74}}</ref>
== Notable events == === Peter R. de Vries murder === {{Main|Murder of Peter R. de Vries}}
It is approximately {{convert|250|m|yd|abbr=on}} from where well-known crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, a key figure in the Marengo trial coverage, was murdered in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Peter R de Vries: Dutch crime reporter dies after shooting |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57853004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327231513/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57853004 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref>
=== 2022 hostage crisis === On 22 February 2022, a 27 year old gunman took multiple persons hostage inside of an Apple Store in Leidse Square. After a forced breach of the store by Dutch Police, all hostages were safely rescued. However, as a result of the intervention, the hostage taker was killed.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=2022-02-22 |title=Amsterdam: gunman overpowered and all hostages free after Apple store siege – police |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/22/amsterdam-hostages-apple-store |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hague |first=Agence France-Presse in The |date=2022-02-24 |title=Amsterdam Apple store gunman dies of injuries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/23/amsterdam-hostage-who-helped-end-siege-praised-for-bravery |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The 2025 Dutch film ''iHostage'' dramatises the incident.
==Panorama== {{Panorama |image = Image:Leidseplein_Amsterdam_Night_Panorama.png |fullwidth = 100 |fullheight = 100 |caption = {{center|Panorama of Leidseplein at night, with the Stadsschouwburg theatre on the far left of the photograph}} |height = 100 }}
==See also== {{Commons category|Leidseplein}} *List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Parks and squares in Amsterdam}}
Category:Squares in Amsterdam