Delft Walking Tour -- by Jay Brentjes, October 2010 - Great wen site ...

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(Old Church) was started in 1250, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in 1383. Except for two major disasters (the great fire of 1536 and the explosion of the gun powder storage building in 1654, both of which destroyed hundreds of home and people's lives), the city prospered. During the early years of the 17th century, Delft was a center of painting, arts, crafts and science. The Dutch East India Company, the large trading company with ships going to the Indies, had established one of their offices and warehouses in Delft. Spices, coffee, tea and Chinese porcelain now found their way to Delft. This tour passes by the place during the first part of the walk. Later when we visit the Prinsenhof, I will touch on the history of the Royal Dutch family starting with William of Orange, the father of the Netherlands. This map dates from 1652. As was common at the time, north was not necessarily at the top, so we have to keep in mind that in this case the top is east. What is clearly shown are some of the highlights of our visit here but also the defensive wall and canals surrounding Delft. It was considered well protected from invaders. In particular note the South Gate and the ships docked in the harbor called 'Hooft' or Head. It is at the bottom right. This was the Schie canal from Rotterdam and considered the most likely direction from which trouble could come. We will see canons trained at the harbor from within the walled city. It is also this southwestern part of Delft that became most important. At the bottom center is the West Gate (better known as the 'Waterslootsepoort' or the 'Bolwerk'. It has a triangular diversion with the road leading making a jog into the city. Much later, part of the canal was filled in to make way for the train viaduct (and the route for tram number one), but a small section of the 'diversion' and the southern part of the main canal are still there. Have a look at today's map at the end. The elevated wall surrounding Delft was also an ideal place for windmills. You can still find one along the northwestern edge. 1. Start of the walk. The train station can be exited west or east. Go east, it will take you to the parking area and bus stops and lots of bicycles. Continue east and cross the first of many canals. This is where the tram runs. Cross this busy street and enter the little alley called Barbara Steeg. I know it is narrow, but you will be perfectly safe. There are many of these and It is a short way to reach the Oude Gracht (Old Canal).
Take a look from the bridge ahead of you. To the far left you can see the Oude Kerk, it comes later. We are going right, along the west side of the canal. Here you will find some interesting buildings such as the former Oost India Company's office to your right and some plagues on the wall across the water. It is the back side of the 'Legermuseum', the military museum of Delft (In God we trust, is the way I translated the motto). To visit the museum, you would have to go back to the little bridge, cross it and make a right turn at the next canal. Our tour continues further along the Oude Delft canal and soon you will get a better picture of the 'front' of this impressive building. This is where the defensive canons were located to point at the South Gate, the entrance to the harbor we discussed above. Now there is a bridge across two channels and city streets above. When you reach this spot you can have a look at the Schie. Be careful crossing the busy street, but the view is worth it. Go a bit to your right to see the old ships docked at the former ship building area. This area is also shown in the old print as the Hooft, noted above. I found it interesting to see the black ship with its mast folded onto the deck. Obviously it is now a motorized vessel, but the folded mast feature is necessary to pass underneath the numerous bridges along the canals. I recall passing by here when I was a youngster on a sail boat that had the same setup of keeping the mast on deck when motoring along the Schie. 2. Back to our walk. When you see the long brick bridge also notice the one opening to the left. It is the 'Hoogbrug' (High Bridge) and leads to another canal and that is where we are going. Here is another view. The canal is the 'Achterom' or Around the Back, because it was a roundabout way of going to the main square. Another way was the canal to your left or along the Legermuseum. You can see the tall church, the Nieuwe Kerk. It is our destination and, in the past, that of many merchants entering this way from Rotterdam. You can either go to the right or left along the Achterom canal. We are heading towards the bridge in the distance. But notice this door along the way, the one below is dated 1620 indicating we are still in the old parts.
Page 1: Delft Walking Tour -- by Jay Brentj
Page 5 and 6: But continue a bit further for one
Page 7 and 8: 17th century. Inside the church you
Page 9: Trains in the Netherlands A few mor

Delft Walking Tour -- by Jay Brentjes, October 2010 - Great wen site ...

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