Delft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland , the Netherlands. It is
located in between Rotterdam and The Hague. Delft is primarily known for its typically
Dutch town centre (with canals); also for the painter Vermeer, Delft Blue pottery
(Delftware), the Delft University of Technology, and its association with the Royal Family.
Its a beautiful, unspoiled town with traditional architecture, canals, bikes, and the world
famous blue and white ceramics.
Delft is more than 750 years old. Its name is derived from 'delven' which means digging.
Delfts oldest canal is called The Old Delft (de Oude Delft). In 1246 Delft got city rights,
granted by Holland's Duke William II. Delft grew prosperous and new neighbourhoods
were added to the city. In 1355 it reached the size it would remain at until the 1900s.
In 1536 a big fire destroyed 2300 houses. Most likely lightning struck the tower of The
New Church. About 100 years later, in 1654, an explosion destroyed large parts of town; a
warehouse with 80,000 pounds of gunpowder blew up. A new warehouse (Kruithuis) was
later built, outside the city perimeter.
Delft has long been a centre of art and science. With the foundation of the VOC (Dutch
East India Company) in 1602, Delft also became a trading center. The VOC was at one
time the largest trading company in the world, with a huge fleet and offices all over Asia.
One of the Dutch offices was in Delft.
In 1842 the Royal Academy for Civil Engineering (Koninklijke Acedemie voor Burgerlijke
Ingenieurs) is founded. Nowadays know as Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) it is
Delfts biggest employer. About 13.000 students study in Delft.
Delft was one of the leading cities of Holland and was equipped with the necessary city
walls to serve as a headquarters. When William was shot to death in 1584 by Balthazar
Gerards in the hall of the Prinsenhof, the family's traditional burial place in Breda was in
the hands of the Spanish. He was buried in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), starting a
tradition for the House of Orange that has continued to the present day.
PLACE TO VISIT
Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) - Closed on sundays. Located on the Markt square, this church was built in 1496. The royal burial chamber is located in this church. Prince William of Orange was the first to be buried here, after being shot in 1584. It is possible to climb the 108,75 meter tower to get a impressive view of Delft and surroundings. €3 (€2,50 extra to climb the tower).
Oude Kerk (Old Church) - This is Delfts oldest Church, being built in 1246. The interior of this church is excellent. Famous Dutchmen are buried in this church, including: Piet Hein, Maerten Tromp and Johannes Vermeer. €3.
Het Prinsenhof - In medieval Delft Sint Agathaklooster was the biggest cloister in
Delft. After 1650 it was split in two parts. Part of the chapel remained for religious service
(Waalse Kerk). Prince William of Orange held court in the rest of the complex. He was
killed here in 1584. Nowadays the complex houses some musea, including the city
museum. €7,50
Synagoge - This former synagogue was built in 1862 as temple, to a design of Ir.
Leon Winkel. The building houses a permanent exposition to the remembrance of the
Jewish victims in WWII.
Hofje van Gratie - This was a hofje for single women, founded in 1575 by Pieter
Sasbout. Originally situated on Korte Geer, but with expansion of the Armamentarium it
was relocated to its current location.
Hofje van Pauw - This hofje was built in 1707 as stated in the will of Elizabeth Pauw.
Klaeuwshofje - This hofje was meant for unmarried or widowed catholic women. It
was founded in 1605 by Dirck and Elizabeth Uyttenhage.
Porceleyne Fles - porcelain factories were located in Delft. Koninklijke Porceleyne
Fles is the only factory remaining from that era. It is possible to visit the factory or to
participate in a workshop. Guided tour €4.
De Candelaer - De Candelaer is a little porcelain factory in the inner city. It is
possible to visit De Candelear.
Stadhuis (Town Hall) - After a fire in 1618 after which only the tower remained,
Hendrick de Keyser rebuilt the town hall. He reused the tower and some remaining walls.
In 1620 construction was finished. The building has been renovated in the 19th century.
Vleeshal (Meat Hall) - Built in 1650. It is one of the only Hollands Classical
buildings in Delft. Originally a meat market, later it was converted for wheat. Nowadays it
is a youth society. It is possible to eat here for a modest price (around €4).
Visbanken- Fish market, on of the oldest shops in the world.
VOC Huis - The VOC consisted of 6 chambers. One of them was located in Delft. Part
of the sea harbour of Rotterdam belonged to Delft at that time.
Molen de Roos (windmill) - It is possible to visit the mill if the blue flag is flying.
For a group visit, call ahead.
Artilleriemagazijn( Artillery Depot) - As a result of the reformation, around
1572, many cloisters were abandoned. This happened to the Clarissenklooster as well. It
became a warehouse for sulphur, saltpeter and canons. In 1637 a small tower for
firepowder was built. In 1654 this tower exploded, destroying a large part of the city. After
this it was rebuilt.
Oostpoort (East Gate) - Eastern gate to the city, built around 1400. Small building.
It looks kind of cute. It is not on the famous painting by Vermeer, as many tourists wrongly
think.
Universiteitsbibliotheek (University Library) - Between the Mekelweg
and the Schoemakerstraat sits one of the largest technical libraries of Europe. It is
housed in a glass building, with a sloping grass roof penetrated by a concrete cone.
Armamentarium - Its location made Delft a good place for a central weapons
warehouse. In 1601 a large warehouse was built. It is a very beautiful building. Nowadays
it houses the army museum. €6.
Serpo - This is a small reptile zoo. €6,60.
Botanische Tuin (Botanical Garden) - The botanical garden of Delft University houses a large collection of 'utility' plants, both in greenhouses and a nicely laid out park. Good place to spend a few quiet hours on a sunny afternoon. €2.
Techniekmuseum (Technology Museum) - This museum, run by Delft University, is housed in a beautiful building. It displays a wide range of historical engines, as well as the history of the calculator. Activities aimed at children are organized regularly. €2,30.
HOW TO REACH
By train - Delft has two railway stations: Delft (near the city center and best connection
towards the universtity) and Delft Zuid (Delft southern parts). (Direct) train connections run
from:
Den Haag Central Station or Hollands Spoor(10 mins, €2)
Schiphol Airport (45 mins, €8) (the train from Schiphol does not stop in Delft, one needs to
change train in Leiden or Den Haag HS).
Amsterdam (1 hour, €11)
Rotterdam (15 mins, €3)
By car - Delft is easily reached by car. Coming from Amsterdam or Schiphol, it is at the
end of the A4 motorway; coming from Rotterdam, Delft has several exits off the A13
motorway. The old city center has been made largely car-free, but there are two large
parking houses at the edge of the center (Zuidpoortgarage and Phoenixgarage).
By bus - Buses from Den Haag and Rotterdam terminate at the Delft bus terminal,
which is located in front of Delft railway station. Tram line 1 from Den Haag runs to Delft
and has stops near the city center and railway station.
New: for a limited period (2007) all public transport in Delft on Saturdays is free from
11.00 am to 6.00 pm. If you travel with public transport (excluding trains) from Delft to other
areas you only have to stamp you strippenkaart (public transport card) for the zones
outside Delft. You stamp the card the moment you cross into a non-Delft zone (other zone
than 5426 that is).
