New Church, Delft
Gothic church on Delft market square with the tomb of William of Orange and a climbable tower.
The New Church stands at the head of Delft's market square, facing the town hall. Building began in 1381 and the body of the church was finished about 1496, replacing a wooden chapel on the site. The brick Gothic interior is plain, its whitewashed walls and tall windows the result of the Reformation and of the gunpowder explosion that damaged the city in 1654. A 1976 stained-glass cycle by Joep Nicolas fills several windows with scenes of Dutch history.
In the choir stands the mausoleum of William of Orange, carved in black and white marble by Hendrick de Keyser and his son Pieter between 1614 and 1623; beneath it lies the royal crypt of the House of Orange-Nassau, which is not open to visitors. The tower reaches about 108.75 metres, making it the second tallest church tower in the country; its spire was rebuilt to a design by Pierre Cuypers after a fire in 1872. Some 376 steps lead to a viewing platform looking over Delft towards The Hague and Rotterdam.
Highlights
- Mausoleum of William of Orange by Hendrick de Keyser
- Tower of about 108.75 metres with 376 steps to the platform
- Royal crypt of the House of Orange-Nassau beneath the choir
- Stained-glass cycle by Joep Nicolas on Dutch history
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