Attractions

The best way to absorb Delft's special ambience is by strolling the streets. Around every corner and down every street, you step into a scene that might have been composed for the canvas of a great artist. Supplement your walks with a leisurely tour of the canals via the numerous water taxis that operate during the summer. The town's large main square, the Markt, is a zoo on market day (Thurs), but on quieter days you get space to see how picturesque it is.

Historic Churches

Two church spires grace the Delft skyline. One belongs to the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), Markt (tel. 015/212-3025; www.nieuwekerk-delft.nl), which isn't all that new, since it was begun in 1383 and finally completed in 1510. Inside is the magnificent tomb of William the Silent, surrounded by 22 columns and decorated with figures representing Liberty, Justice, Valor, and Religion. The royal dead of the House of Oranje-Nassau lie in a crypt beneath the remains of the founder of their line. There's a marvelous panoramic view of the town from the 109m-high (357-ft.) church tower, the second tallest in the country.

The other, slightly leaning spire is attached to the Oude Kerk (Old Church), Heilige Geestkerkhof (tel. 015/212-3015; www.oudekerk-delft.nl), founded around 1200, and dating mostly from the 13th and 14th centuries. The tower is embellished with four corner turrets and is noted for its 27 stained-glass windows by Joep Nicolas. Inside are the tombs of the artist Jan Vermeer and his family, and his friend Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, the inventor of the microscope (and perhaps on occasion Vermeer's model).

Both churches are open April to October Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and November to March Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm and Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Combined admission is 3.20€ ($5.10) for adults, 2.70€ ($4.30) for seniors, 1.60€ ($2.55) for children ages 5 to 14, and free for children 4 and under; separate admission to the Nieuwe Kerk tower is 2.70€ ($4.30) for adults, 2.20€ ($3.50) for seniors, 1.10€ ($1.75) for children ages 5 to 14, and free for children 4 and under.