Delft
Delft and Royal Delft tours
Delft is small enough to walk in an afternoon and holds two things that are worth the trip on their own: the pottery and the crypt.
Ask about a Delft tour
Royal Delft
Founded in 1653 and the last survivor of the thirty two potteries that once worked in this town. The demonstration shows a painter laying cobalt oxide onto raw glaze freehand, in a dull grey that only turns blue in the kiln, which means every line is committed before anyone can see it. The technique came from Chinese porcelain that Dutch ships were bringing back faster than Europe could copy it.
The walking tour
The historic centre is compact, quiet and full of water. The Nieuwe Kerk on the market square holds the crypt of the House of Orange, where Dutch monarchs have been buried since William of Orange in 1584. Vermeer was born here, worked here and painted his view of this town, and the walk passes the spots he stood in.
Combining it
Delft is fifteen minutes from The Hague and fifteen from Rotterdam, which makes it the natural middle stop in the full-day Grand Holland route. On its own it is a comfortable half day.
Common questions
Is Royal Delft the original Delft Blue factory?
It is the oldest one still working. Thirty two potteries operated in Delft in the seventeenth century and Royal Delft, founded in 1653, is the only one left.
Is there a connection to Vermeer?
Delft is his town. He was born here, worked here and painted his View of Delft here, and the walking tour covers where he stood and what has survived of it.
Can Delft be combined with other cities?
It usually is. Delft sits fifteen minutes from both The Hague and Rotterdam, and the three together make the full-day Grand Holland tour.
