The Academy Building is being renovated

The Academy Building is in use by Leiden University since 1581. Before that it used to be a cloister church. Leiden University was given this building after the city confiscated all catholic buildings in the Dutch Revolt (against the Spaniards).

Leiden University changed and altered the building many times to suit the academic needs of the times. The clock tower for instance is an addition from the 17th century. The last major reconstruction was in the 1920s. This is the latest attempt.