Delft Maps

Delft is a historic city and municipality in the western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland, situated between Rotterdam and The Hague. The city has a population of approximately 109,000 residents (as of 2024) and covers an area of 24.06 square kilometers (9.29 square miles).

The city gained its charter in 1246 and grew prosperous during the Dutch Golden Age (17th century). Delft is renowned for its association with the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family. The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), built in the 15th century, serves as the traditional burial place for members of the Dutch royal family. The most famous resident of Delft was Johannes Vermeer, the celebrated Dutch Golden Age painter known for works such as "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "View of Delft."

The city is globally recognized for its blue and white pottery, known as Delft Blue (Delfts Blauw). This distinctive earthenware has been produced in the city since the 16th century, initially as a cheaper alternative to Chinese porcelain. Today, Royal Delft remains the only surviving pottery factory from the 17th century.

Delft is also an important center of technology and innovation, home to the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the largest and oldest public technical university in the Netherlands, established in 1842. The university is consistently ranked among the top technical universities worldwide and contributes significantly to the city's research and development sector.

The city's historic center features numerous notable landmarks, including the Oude Kerk (Old Church) with its leaning tower, the Renaissance-style City Hall, and the Prinsenhof Museum, where William of Orange was assassinated in 1584. The city's network of canals, historic buildings, and charming squares, including the Market Square (Markt), attract thousands of tourists annually. These architectural elements, combined with the city's rich cultural heritage, make Delft a significant tourist destination in the Netherlands.