The Oude Singel (indicated on some maps as Oude Vest) is a canal and street in the northern inner city of the Dutch city of Leiden.
The Oude Singel is situated between the Galgewater in the west and the Haven (part of the Oude Rijn river) in the east. For road traffic, the northern quay is called the Oude Singel, and the southern quay the Oude Vest. The water between Beestenmarkt and Turfmarkt/Prinsessekade also belongs to the Oude Singel.
As its name suggests, the Oude Singel was once constructed as a canal and then northern boundary of the city. The street name Oude Vest refers to the fortifications that were situated here. These disappeared when the city was extended northwards with the Maresingel and Herensingel as the new border.
A large number of historical buildings and museums are located along the Oude Singel / Oude Vest, including the Municipal Museum De Lakenhal, the Scheltema Complex, the Groeneveld Foundation, and the Leidse Schouwburg. In addition, the student house "Schijn Bedriegt" has established itself at Oude Singel 68 since 1725. The resident students have now belonged to the Leiden Student Association Minerva for over 150 years.
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