
The New and Old Church of Delft
The New Church
On Delft’s Market Square, opposite city hall lies the ‘Nieuwe Kerk’ (New Church). The New Church of Delft has a permanent exhibition that explains the rich history of Delft and its relation with to Royal House. At good weather. you can climb the tower and enjoy the views of the historical city center, and The Hague and Rotterdam in the distance.
The House of Orange
William of Orange lived in Delft from where he fought against the Spanish occupier. When he was murdered at ‘Prinsenhof’ in 1584, he was buried in the New Church. From that moment on, the New Church was the last resting place for members of the Royal House.
The Old Church
It all started with a wooden church in 1050, which grew out to be a 75-metre high building with a gothic tower. The church has beautiful stained glass windows and two organs. It also holds several mausoleums and graves of important people, such as admirals Piet Hein and Maarten Tromp and the painter Johannes Vermeer.
Icon of Delft
Over the years, the church was rebuilt and extended many times, but this could not prevent subsidence. Today many visitors take a picture of the canal ‘Oude Delft’ with the leaning tower in the back.