Jomoud's Fotothing

My 2008 trip to Holland

A visit to the City of DELFT.

The City of Delft is more than 750 years old. It owes its name to the word 'delving', digging the oldest canal, the Oude Delft. In 1246, Delft received its city franchise from the Dutch Earl Willem II. Delft flourished and new neighbourhoods were added. As early as 1355 the city reached the size it would remain until the 19th century.

Delft is proud of its historic ties with the Dutch royal house. The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) accommodates the royal crypts above which the mausoleum of William of Orange (1533-1584) is displayed. Considered the founding father of the Netherlands, he was the first to be buried in the church after being assasinated by Balthazar Gerards in his residence known as the Prinsenhof, formerly a convent complex, now a museum.

The famous painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was born in Delft, and lived and worked here almost all his life.

When you think of Delft, you also think of Delftware - and that is no surprise when you consider that Delft ceramics have been an important export product for more than 400 years. In the days of the Dutch East India Company Delft potters came into contact with Chinese porcelain. Soon they tried to imitate the Chinese products, and with success…….Delft ceramics became famous all over the world.
For centuries ceramics have been important to the development of Delft, and they still are.