Delft
From Wikitravel
Delft is in Netherlands. Its a beautiful, unspoiled town with traditional architecture, canals, bikes, and the world famous blue and white ceramics.
Delft is a more than 750 year old city. It name is derived from 'delven' which means digging. Delfts oldest canal is called The Old Delft (de Oude Delft). In 1246 Delft got cityrights, granted by Hollands Duke William II. Delft was growing prosperous and new neighbourhoods were added to the city. In 1355 it reached the seize it would remain to have until the 1900s. On May third 1536 a big fire destroyed 2300 houses. Most likely lightning struck the tower of The New Church. About 100 years later, in 1654, a large explosion destroyed large parts of town. A warehouse for gunpowder had exploded. About 80.000 pounds were ignitated. In 1660 a new warehouse (Kruithuis) was being build, outside the cityperimeter. About 400 years ago the VOC was founded. It was the largest trading company in the world, with a fleet of more than hundred ships, thousands of employees and offices all over Asia. One of the Dutch offices was in Delft. Delft was thriving as a centre of art and science. With the foundation of the VOC trade was added in 1602. 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.
Get in
By train from Den Haag (8 mins), Schipol Airport (45 mins, €8), or Amsterdam (1 hr). It is also very easy to reach Delft by car. Do not bring your car into the old-city. But you can park very close-by.
Get around
Walk - the centre is small enough to walk across in ten minutes. If you want to go further, hire a bike near the railway station.
See
Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Located on Markt. This church is build 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. On Sundays the church is closed. Nieuwe Kerk Markt 80 Tel: 015 212 30 25
Oude Kerk (Old Church)
This is Delfts oldest Church, being build in 1246. The interior of this excellent. Famous Dutchmen have been buried in this church, including: Piet Hein, Maerten Tromp and Johannes Vermeer. On Sundays closed. Oude Kerk Heilige Geestkerkhof 25 Tel: 015 212 30 15
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 was having court in the rest of the complex. He has been killed here in 1584. Nowadays the complex houses some musea, including the city museum. Museum Het Prinsenhof Sint Agathaplein 1 Tel: 015 260 23 58
Synagoge
This former synagoge has been build 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. It is possible to visit in summer Open: June-October, Saturday 14.00-17.00. Synagoge Koornmarkt 12 Tel: 015 256 33 71 http://www.synagogedelft.nl
Hofje van Gratie
This was a hofje for single women, being 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 Gratie Van der Mastenstraat 26-38
Hofje van Pauw
This hofje is build in 1707 as stated in the will of Elizabeth Pauw. Hofje van Pauw Paardenmarkt 54-62
Klaeuwshofje
This hofje was meant for unmarried or widowed catholic women. It was founded in 1605 by Dirck and Elizabeth Uyttenhage. Klaeuwshofje Oranje plantage 58 t/m 77
Koninklijke Porceleyne fles
Around 1750 32 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. Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles Rotterdamseweg 196 Tel: 015 251 20 30
De Candelaer
De Candelaer is a little porcelain factory in the inner city.It is possible to visit De Candelear. De Candelaer Kerkstraat 13 Tel: 015 213 18 48
Stadhuis
After a fire in 1618 after which only the tower remained, Hendrick de Keyser rebuilt townhall. He reused the tower and some remaining walls. In 1620 constructing was finished. The building has been renovated in the 19th century. Stadhuis Markt 78
Vleeshal
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 euro). Vleeshal Voldersgracht 1
Visbanken
Fish market, on of the oldest shops in the world. Visbanken Camaretten
Oost-Indisch 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. Oude Delft 39
Molen de Roos
It is possible to visit the mill if the blue flag is flying. For a group visit, call ahead. Molen de Roos Phoenixstraat 112 071 501 26 72
Artilleriemagazijn
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 build. In 1654 this tower exploded, destroying a large part of the city. After this it was being rebuild. Artilleriemagazijn van Holland en West-Friesland Paardenmarkt 1
Oostpoort
Eastern gate to the city, build around 1400. Small building. It looks kind of cute. It is not on the famous painting by Vermeer, as many tourists wrongly think. Oostpoort Oostpoort 1
Universiteitsbibliotheek
Along the Mekelweg sits one of the largest technical libraries of Europe. It is housed in a glass building, with a sloping grass roof.
Armamentarium
Its location made Delft a good place for a central wapenswarehouse. In 1601 a large warehouse was being build. It is a very beautiful building. Nowadays it houses the army museum. Armamentarium Korte Geer 1 tel: 015 215 05 00
Do
- Stroll through town.
- Climb New Churches Tower.
- Visit De Porceleyne Fles, or take a workshop.
Buy
Traditional Delft pottery. Avoid anything that says "Holland" on it, or depicts windmills. Check out the antique stores if you want something really traditional.
Eat
Puur. Vrouw Juttenland 17, near the New Church. Fantastic food that happens to be vegetarian. http://www.dezaagendefries.nl/ Open from 17:30.
Vlaanderen. Beestenmarkt 16. Great food, sometimes activities take place, such as an open stage.
Stadscafé De Waag. Simple restaurant, prices are ok.
For a comprehensive list of all places to eat in Delft check: http://www.horecadelft.nl.
If you are on a really tight budget, many student societies provide food, for a modest price (around 4 euro). To check what is on offer: http://www.eettafels.tudelft.nl/index.php?pagina=home&lang=eng.
Drink
Al fresco at one of the many bars around the market square, or on a floating terrace (apparently unique to Delft) on a canal.
Sleep
Hotels
Hotel Coen. comfortable, clean, reasonably priced and right next to the railway station - which is either good or bad, depending on your point of view. Convenient for town, but if you're in the front then the trains may disturb your sleep. http://www.hotelcoen.nl/
Camping
There are three campgrounds in Delft. Camping Delfse Hout is located near een small artificial lake, suited for swimming. A camping spot for two persons, including a car costs between EURO 19,50 and EURO 24,00. Cabins (for three/four persons) are also available for EURO 36,00. Cottages can be rented for EURO 265,00 per week. Services include a restaurant, recreation room, supermarket, launderette, playground, tabletennis, bike rent, swimmingpool. This is not a quiet place. Korftlaan 5, tel: 015 2130040. If you look for a smaller setting, try Uylenburg. Sites cost EURO 10,50 for a tent/caravan/camper or EURO 7,50 for a two persontent. Additionally you have to pay EURO 2,50 per person. There is also a very pleasant guesthouse. Rooms are EURO 45/50/75 for 1/2/4 persons. Breakfast is EURO 6 per person. Tel.: 015-2143732, e-mail: herberg@uylenburg.nl, url: www.uylenburg.nl Even smaller is De Grutto. This is definitely only for the real nature lover. You have to be a member of NIVON to camp here. There are only 25 spots. For more information call mrs. W. Klunder tel. 079 - 341 83 25 (18.00 - 20.00). Directions, take bus 64 from Delft Station. Ask the driver to let you out at Rietzangerstraat, it is a 30 minute walk from there.
Get out
Take tramline 1 to Scheveningen. It terminates right on the beach. It takes about 1 hour to get there. Also, rent a bike and go exploring, go west.