Voldersgracht 26. Vermeer's Birthplace, Delft
In 1631, Vermeer's father, Reijnier Janszoon, (who in 1640, for unknown reason, adopted the surname "Vermeer") rented a property on Voldersgracht. Here, in a bid to improve his family's financial standing, he started an inn, which he called "de Vliegende Vos" (The Flying Fox). The inn's name eventually proved symbolic, as in 1652 Reynier changed his own first name to Vos.
Municipal records suggest that Johannes Vermeer was born at 26 Voldersgracht in 1632 and lived here, in The Flying Fox, together with his parents until about 1641.
Eventually, Reijnier started dealing in fine arts, too, in addition to running the inn. Perhaps it was due to this fact 鈥� surrounded by paintings and artists who came regularly to eat, drink and talk business with his father, that young Vermeer developed passion for painting.
In 1641, when Vermeer was about nine years old, his father's business expanded with the purchase of yet another, much larger inn on Markt (Market Place), named after the Flemish town Mechelen, upon which the family had left The Flying Fox for good.
Municipal records suggest that Johannes Vermeer was born at 26 Voldersgracht in 1632 and lived here, in The Flying Fox, together with his parents until about 1641.
Eventually, Reijnier started dealing in fine arts, too, in addition to running the inn. Perhaps it was due to this fact 鈥� surrounded by paintings and artists who came regularly to eat, drink and talk business with his father, that young Vermeer developed passion for painting.
In 1641, when Vermeer was about nine years old, his father's business expanded with the purchase of yet another, much larger inn on Markt (Market Place), named after the Flemish town Mechelen, upon which the family had left The Flying Fox for good.
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Voldersgracht 26. Vermeer's Birthplace on Map
Sight Name: Voldersgracht 26. Vermeer's Birthplace
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