Memorial Gijselaarsbank in Leiden

You're standing at the head of the Rapenburg canal in Leiden, next to a rather special bench. This is the Gijselaarsbank. Take a good look, because it's much more than a place to rest your feet. It's made of brick and terracotta, and it's perfectly symmetrical. Behind the seat there's a planter, and on each side stands a column with its own little roof.