Town Hall, Delft
In 1618 The old City Hall of Delft burned down. That was a bad thing. A good thing was Hendrik de Keyser, Dutch Mannerist architect and sculptor was found across the Market Square. He was working on the tomb of William the Silent in the New Church. Before the ashes were cool, he was asked to design a replacement city hall.
The Gothic belfry tower was spared by the fire. Built in the 13th century, its ornate clock faces were installed in 1536 by Hendrick van Trier and Francois Hemony. It is faced with Wallonia limestone and is commonly called "The Stone." Only the tower of the Town Hall escaped the fire. It was used as a prison. It is a museum of prison artifacts today.
William of Orange, founder of the royal House of Orange, was assassinated in 1584 in his residence at the Prinsenhof by Balthasar Gerard, an operative of the King of Spain. Gerard was captured and held in the tower prison. He was later executed after being tortured. All this violence in the name of religion.
Herndrik was able to focus his efforts on the hall proper. He chose a Renaissance style. Since 1618 the building has been changed several times. It was restored to Hendrik de Keyser's original style in the 20th century. The Town Hall now houses the offices of the Delft city council. It is still today a venue for civic wedding ceremonies.
The Gothic belfry tower was spared by the fire. Built in the 13th century, its ornate clock faces were installed in 1536 by Hendrick van Trier and Francois Hemony. It is faced with Wallonia limestone and is commonly called "The Stone." Only the tower of the Town Hall escaped the fire. It was used as a prison. It is a museum of prison artifacts today.
William of Orange, founder of the royal House of Orange, was assassinated in 1584 in his residence at the Prinsenhof by Balthasar Gerard, an operative of the King of Spain. Gerard was captured and held in the tower prison. He was later executed after being tortured. All this violence in the name of religion.
Herndrik was able to focus his efforts on the hall proper. He chose a Renaissance style. Since 1618 the building has been changed several times. It was restored to Hendrik de Keyser's original style in the 20th century. The Town Hall now houses the offices of the Delft city council. It is still today a venue for civic wedding ceremonies.
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Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Town Hall
Sight Location: Delft, Netherlands (See walking tours in Delft)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Delft, Netherlands (See walking tours in Delft)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Delft, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Delft
Creating your own self-guided walk in Delft is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Johannes Vermeer's Delft Walk
The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632 鈥� 1675) spent almost his entire life in his home town, Delft. He left only a few times, towards the end, on the short trips to Amsterdam and The Hague.
The old Delft undoubtedly was one of the most typical little towns of the 17th-century Netherlands, and as such, was rather picturesque. Just like any other Dutch place, Delft was dominated by its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The old Delft undoubtedly was one of the most typical little towns of the 17th-century Netherlands, and as such, was rather picturesque. Just like any other Dutch place, Delft was dominated by its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Delft Introduction Walking Tour
The word "delven" in Dutch means "to dig." The town of Delft began in 1075 when a nobleman decided to build his dream manor where a canal crossed the silted up river Gantel. A settlement became a market town with a large market square. The town was called "Delft."
Canals were vital to Delft. Flat-bottomed boats brought in products, fuel and people. In 1246 Count... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Canals were vital to Delft. Flat-bottomed boats brought in products, fuel and people. In 1246 Count... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles