Enchanting Delft

Program

You will learn the legend of the construction of the local 'Pisa Tower' and the history of the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary, on the site of which the second tallest church in the country was built. Why is this church always black on one side, even though it is built of white stone, and why do the neat Dutch people not even try to clean it?

If desired, we will visit the burial place of members of the royal family. I will tell you about the ceremony, the symbolism of the main mausoleum of the kingdom, and about the scandal that once occurred there! Together we will discover the longest street-bridge in the entire kingdom, where the count's residence once stood.

You will learn about famous local residents:

• about the city blessed woman and her strength of faith;
• about the great jurist who cleverly escaped from an impregnable fortress;
• about the artist Vermeer and his marriage;
• about the murder of William the Silent and the reason why he received such a nickname;
• and even about the local liar, whose stories the whole district gathered to listen to.

Delft is the homeland of porcelain, which adorns all the fireplaces and stoves in the Russian palaces of the Peter the Great era. Here, you will find famous porcelain on every corner: in tourist shops, at the porcelain factory, or in antique shops.

During the tour you will see:

• the Old and New Churches, the royal burial site;
• the Prinsenhof (residence where William of Orange was assassinated);
• the monument to Hugo Grotius;
• the Vermeer museum;
• the old prison, town hall, and weighing house;
• the longest street-bridge;
• the statue of the local blessed woman;
• the shelter for orphan girls;
• the ancient chapel;
• the smallest house in the city;
• the fish markets.

If desired, we will visit the Delft porcelain factory.

Program

I will meet you in Delft itself or at Central Station in Amsterdam (a 60-minute train ride, ticket costs 25 euros/person round trip). Or I can arrange a transfer by car: additional cost from 100 euros (depending on the number of passengers). Travel time is 45 minutes.