Nieuwe Kerk, Delft

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The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is on the Markt and dates back to 1496. This church has the royal vault where the members of the royal family rest in peace.

You can also climb the 108 metre high tower but the church is closed on Sundays.

The New Church actually is not so new, it was built between the years 1383 and 1510, but it got the name New since it is "younger" than the Old Church. Delft and especially this Church has a very strong connection to the Royal family. It is the place where William the Silent is burried, as well as present Queen's husband Prince Claus. All the Royal events are being held in this church, the next one will be the marriage of Beatrix' son Prince Johan Friso. Worth looking inside, especially at the monument which was added to the William The Silent's grave some time after he was shot. Very impressive monument is combined of 2 statues of the Prince and four other statues, each on one corner, that represent Liberty, Justice, Church, and Power!

I created this page a few hours before the Queen Juliana passed away! Looks like the next event at the church is going to be the funeral instead of the wedding. Juliana died at the age of 94

For an additional 2 Euro you'll have the chance to climb all the way up to the tower of the New Church. 365 steps will take you to the breathtaking view on Delft. On a clear day you'll be able to see The Hague and it's "skyscrapers".
Climbing up the stairs is not easy. The serpantine stairs are very tiny and only one person at a time can walk. This is another reason why only 60 people are allowed to be at the tower at one time. The balcony on the top is also very tiny and can't accommodate many people. Some steps are still the same as they used to be when the church was built i.e. made of wood. It's kinda scary. Also, by the time you'll get to the top your head will be spinning, maybe it's a good idea to bring some water with you.
On your way downstairs you'll be meeting exhausted people making their way up and asking you how much longer they have to suffer :) Nice, once a life experience, but I'll never climb those stairs again.

The STAINED GLASS WINDOWS in the Nieuwe Kerk have been destroyed twice. The first time this happened was when a fire raged through the city in May 1536. The windows were destroyed a second time by an explosion in a Delft gunpowder factory in October 1654. It took almost three centuries for new stained glass windows to be installed, during which time the windows were partly bricked up and partly fitted with ordinary glass.

The accompanying picture is of THE ZEELAND WINDOW. Coats of arms of the Prince of Orange, as Marquis of Veere and Vlissingen, of the Province of Zeeland and a number of towns in Zeeland. Designed by Georg Reuter.

In 1609 the States General gave the order for the construction of a mausoleum in honour of Prince William of Orange. This was built between 1614 and 1623by master builder and sculptor Hendrick de Keyser. The mausoleum was drastically renovated in the period between 1997 and 2001 as the marble had been seriously damaged by salts.
The statue of the dead Prince is carved from white marble and is lying on a bed carved from the same block of marble. At his feet lies his faithful dog, who, according to legend, refused to eat or drink after the death of his master.

There are two main churches in Delft, the new and the old church. The new church was founded in the 14th century and was completed in the 16th century. It's also an important church because a lot of the members of the Dutch royal family are burried here, like William of Orange and Prince Claus. You can go inside with a ticket that also gives you entrance to the old church and climb the tower. A ticket costs 2,50.

A white marble STATUE OF KING WILLIAM I can be seen close to the Mausoleum of the Prince William V. Engraved on the pedestal is a verse from the Book of Wisdom. The King himself is depicted in a semi-recumbent attitude, resting against a lion, also carved from marble.
Just above it, against the wall of the Church, a relief in white marble commemorates William George Frederick

Although the new church is impressive in itself it is not that what it is most famous for. Since William of Orange's burial in this church it is the place where the Dutch royal members are buried in the crypt. You can't actually go there but when you've entered the church you can see next to the tomb for William, the entrance stone to the crypt and a lay-out of who is where in the crypt.

Normally you can also climb the tower but this one is under renovation for the moment and at least till summer (2004).

With an entrance ticket to this church (euro 2,50) you can also visit the Old Church.

Both churches are not open for visits on sundays.

Hurrying out of the way of wedding guests, I turn around and face the "New Church" at the other end of Markt square.
What's new about it? Nothing really. It's only because the other major Delft church the Oude Kerk (old church) is a bit older.

The Nieuwe Kerk in late gothic style was built between 1383 and 1510.
At the end of my walk I visited the church inside, but not just yet....

Nieuwe Kerk or new church.
This was built between 1383-1510. it has been restored several times:
in 1536 after fire damage and in 1654 after the arsenal explosion. A 100 metre high tower was added to the Gothic facade in 1872.