Today we set off on bikes for the town of Delft – about a 24km round trip with a slight detour through the country side. The Dutch are keen cyclists, well of a practical nature, mainly for transport. I’ve included a photo showing the specialized footwear that they use to enhance their grip on the pedals.
Delft is famous for Delftware . Delftware is a very deft attempt by the potters of 1600’s to copy the blue/white Chinese porcelain of the time. Some of the more interesting uses of Delft ceramic style, was a series of 3 light poles made in 2009, and broken pieces used as tiles on a seat in the garden of Prinsenhof (see notes below).
Delft is also famous as the home-place of Vermeer, the murder-place of William of Orange. Johannes Vermeer is one of the Dutch stand-outs in the art world and finally the tolerant William of Orange was murdered at Prinsenhof in 1584 by a Spanish assassin who was intolerant of his tolerance. William of Orange who is seen as the ’Father of the Nation’ thought it was OK for people to have their own personal beliefs. This thinking is still cornerstone today amongst the Dutch people. The brutal murder of Theo van Gogh in 1994 by a religious fanatic in some ways is reminiscent of the murder of William of Orange. After lunch Frances visited the Prinsenhof museum while Ric hung out taking more photos of this amazing town. Delft is a pretty place with canals, bridges, Dutch architecture and the usual Oude Kerke (Old Church) and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). The interesting thing is that the Nieuwe kerk was actually completed after the Oude Kerk – we’re talking the 1200s and 1300s here. Another interesting thing is that virtually all of the clock towers of these ancient churches have a substantial lean on them. We scaled the 386 stairs to the top of the clock tower of the Nieuwe kerk (209m high) and before our legs gave way we were afforded a wonderful view of Delft. It was interesting looking at the stone decorations at that height and hoping that they were well attached – it’s looonnnggg way down. Not to detract at all from the view, there is even an Ikea visible in the far distance.
We strolled through the town streets and Ric now has another 600 photos to add to his collection. We then strolled through the antique market stalls, had a beer and then took an entertaining canal cruise. The canal cruise was really worthwhile, only 45 mins, but very informative about both the history of Deft, but also some of the idiosyncrasies of the town. Having virtually burned down in the 1500s after the church was hit by lightning, all new buildings were to be made of brick and/or stone, and after every 5-6 houses an escape passageway had to be provided. An early DCP for the planners reading this.