See and Do in Delft

Are you planning a visit to Delft? You will have a great time! There is more than enough art, culture and science for you to experience in our beautiful city.

For example, learn all about the life of William the Silent or visit the home of a 19th century artist. Or would you prefer to immerse yourself in the world of the latest technological gadgets? Delft offers a wide range of museums and attractions for young and old. Find out more here!

	Markt square The central market of Delft is one of the largest market squares in Europe, 50×120 yards, and bounded on the short ends by the Nieue Kerk and the Stadthuis. On the long axes, stores and restaurants with outdoor dining occupy most of the buildings. The square is on one of the highest points in the city and dates to the late 13th C. Market on Thursday.
	Oude Kerk The single statue fronting the Oude Kerk is a simple stylized image of a cloaked woman, Geertroyt van Oosten ( 1320-58 ). Born in Voorburch Holland, she was devout from childhood. The single statue fronting the Oude Kerk is a simple stylized image of a cloaked woman, Geertroyt van Oosten ( 1320-58 ). Born in Voorburch Holland, she was devout from childhood.
	Nieuwe Kerk This famous church, with the second tallest steeple in The Netherlands at 375 ft, is consecrated to St. Ursula, and faces the City Hall across the market square. By legend, the concept arose from the vision of a Delft beggar Symon in January 1351 who saw an image of golden church with Mary seated on a throne. A wooden church was erected on the site in 1381.
	Town Hall The Delft city hall, which underwent a 20th C restoration to the original Renaissance architecture, dates to the 17th C and architect Hendrick de Keyser following a fire in 1618 which destroyed an earlier building, The red shutters are iconic. The Gothic tower at the rear is a 13th C limestone-covered structure which survived the fire and was used as a prison ( among other occupants Bathasar Gerard ). The clockface dates from 1536. Below the coat of arms is a statue of Justice.
	Delft Blue ceramics It is true! When visiting Delft you may not leave without visiting a shop, a boutique, a school or a museum full of Delft Blue. Most tourists do visit the Stedelijk Museum at Prinsenhof.
	Prinsenhof It is within these walls that the man of whom much has been writ and said once trod. William of Orange, also known in these parts as William the Silent, led the resistance against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.The well laid out museum gives and insight into the times and William's role in the rebellion.
	Canals The townhouses lining the Oude Canal remain true to principle of historic appearances, but most appear to have gutted and reconstructed interiors. Many exteriors have renovations as well, most apparent in the modern windows. Many house businesses with scattered cute restaurants and the occasional hotel.
	Oostpoort Oostpoort can be translated as East Gate and is the last surviving of the city's former five city gates. Built around 1400 in brick Gothic style, the gate was used not so much as a defense structure, but nonetheless has its embrasures. Nowadays, it's a luxurious apartment and makes for a very nice photo. The other gates were torn down in the 19th century.
	Hugo de Groot Hugo Grotius (or Hugo de Groot) is considered as the father of international law. He was born in Delft in 1583 but was arrested together with van Oldenbarnevelt. Grotius legendary escape from prison (in a wooden box) is well known in the Netherlands. A statue of Grotius is situated in front of the Nieuwe Kerk at the market. His tomb is in the Nieuwe Kerk.
	Delfland water council house Build in 1505 this building has seen some history. It started out as a private house but housed among others the Court of Holland during the rise of Holland. It also was the home for Filips, count of Hohenlohe who was married to the daughter of Wiliam of Orange.In 1652 it got the function it has still today.
	Waag (Weighhouse) Located at the center of many Low Country medieval cities, weigh houses were buildings for public control of the weight of goods, both for the safety of the principals in a transaction and also for establishing appropriate taxes. Elsewhere in Europe, this function took place in town or guild halls. Weigh houses were also used in the 16th and 17th C to weigh the accused versus a set weight – guilty if the accused was too light.
	Vermeer Center The legacy of Johannes Vermeer is celebrated in a scaled reproduction of the building occupied by the Guild of St. Luke just one block off the Markt in Delft. With no more than 34 authenticated paintings and perhaps 10-20 gone missing, his work is ranked with painters with far more existing works.
	Saint Hippolytus chapel of the holy spirit Meanwhile we should not forget the other side of the canal, where also interesting historical buildings are situated.
	Maria van Jessekerk Neo-Gothic Roman-Catholic parish church.The Maria van Jesse church used to be called Sint Jozef church. In the 19th century the Delft area was split into two.

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See and Do in Delft

Delft Blue ceramics

Hugo de Groot

Delfland water council house

Vermeer Center

Saint Hippolytus chapel of the holy spirit

Maria van Jessekerk