Romantic Delft is a dazzling canal-ringed city in the Netherlands that can be explored in a day and here’s how…
Oude Delft Canal and surrounding canals
Start your day by exploring the Oude Delft Canal and also surrounding canals that flank idyllic streets. Similar to Amsterdam’s canals but on a smaller scale, find solace wandering around the beautiful and scenic Delft canals.
Enter the Old City from Oude Delft Canal, the oldest canal and the first in Delft that dates back to 1100, when Delft was founded.
Although Delft can be a little touristy, this city rates highly as a must-see place to visit.
Oostpoort (Eastern Gate)
A landmark in Delft, Oostpoort’s striking Gothic eastern gate dates back to the 1400s.
Only a few minutes walk from Markt Square, the arch and twin spires date back to the 15th century and are all that remains of the fortifications.
De Nieuwe Kerk
The new church (De Nieuwe Kerk) in Markt Square – Delft’s epicentre – is famous not just for its imposing stature, but for housing the royal crypt of the members of the House of Orange-Nassau.
The Nieuwe Kerk dates back to the 14th Century and you can climb the tower’s 376 steps.
Markt Square
Bursting with cafes, restaurants, markets, and great shops, spend several hours here taking a break to just people-watch and relax or to observe the culture.
Oude Kerk
The Gothic Protestant church Oude Kerk or Old Church is famous for its slight lean to one side and is also known as Scheve Jan (“Skewed John”).
If you’re feeling energetic, take a climb in the 75-metre stunning brick tower.
Rita, a kind reader also advises in this post’s comments below, that locals also call this church “Oude Jan” (Old John). Evidently, it seems that the old church has invited a plethora of names over the years.
Vermeer Centrum Delft
Although Delft is famous for ceramic Delft Blue pottery, which I didn’t purchase, Delft is also renowned as the home of Dutch baroque painter, Johannes Vermeer.
If you haven’t heard of Vermeer born in 1632 and dying in his early 40s, think of the beautifully haunting painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring. This TEDEd video explains why this intriguing painting is a masterpiece.
The Vermeer Centrum Delft is home to this captivating painting and seeing this treasure in the flesh is a must. Learn about Vermeer on a guided tour or just stroll around numerous rooms and immerse yourself in the life of Johannes Vermeer, even discovering his secret love messages. Photography is not allowed.
Getting there
From Amsterdam’s Centraal Station, it’s an easy and comfortable hour’s train journey until you reach Delft Centraal. And, if you time it right, the trip is under an hour on the Inter-City Railway.
The Man in Seat 61 has an excellent detailed schedule for travelling anywhere in Europe and beyond.
Allow a good long day to explore Delft or if you have time, why not stay for a couple of days as there is quite a lot to see in this alluring city.
Strapped for time, as we flew from Australia to Amsterdam for a one-day exhibition and with all the 2-week accommodation pre-booked, only one day was left to explore the gorgeous city of Delft.
Check back next week for another lovely day trip from Amsterdam, but this time venturing to the pretty fishing town of Volendam with a Dutch friend we first met in Chile last year. And, then bumped into along the way several times more in South America.
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts at Image Earth Travel.
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