The City of Orange

Did you know that the Netherlands, as a country, originated in Delft?

Did you know that the Netherlands, as a country, originated in Delft? William the Silent, the ‘Father of the Nation’, moved to Delft in 1572 to lead the insurrection against the Spanish rulers. And he was successful! William became the founding father of the Netherlands as a unified parliamentary state that upholds principles like freedom of religion and speech.

So Delft and the Dutch royal family have been inextricably linked for centuries. This is where William the Silent moved when he had to flee Breda in the south and where he was assassinated 12 years later. But apart from the historic connections, there are more modern ones as well. So let’s give an overview of the most important highlights in Delft that prove this royal relationship. Come with us for a walk around Delft: the city of the House of Orange!  

Start your tour of discovery at Museum Prinsenhof Delft

This is where one of the key moments in Dutch history took place: the assassination of William the Silent.

Back in time

The assassination happened during the Eighty Years’ War, which involved decades of skirmishes and battles between the Spaniards and the Dutch. During this war, William the Silent successfully led the insurrection against the Spaniards, which eventually resulted in the foundation of our unified parliamentary state and the principles that the Dutch are so proud of: freedom of religion and speech.

William decided to move to Delft in 1572 because of its high city walls, gates, moats, and defensive earthworks. He took up residence in the Saint Agatha convent, later renamed Prinsenhof (the current Museum Prinsenhof Delft).

But then, in 1580, Philip II offered a reward to anyone who managed to kill William, leading to a number of failed assassination attempts, until 10 July 1584.

After finishing his lunch, William was about to go upstairs to his bedroom/study when he was shot dead by the Frenchman Balthasar Gerards. After the assassination, William the Silent’s reputation made him an almost mythical figure. He became the ‘Father of the Nation’ who gave his life for his people’s freedom.

Inside the museum, you can still the wall with the bullet holes. 

Orange Walk
The Diamanten Ring

De Diamanten Ring used to be an inn. Here slept the murderer of William the Silent, Balthasar Gerards.
City prison Het Steen

Take a look at the medieval prison Het Steen.

City prison Het Steen
The Oude Kerk

Discover the history of the members of the House of Orange at the Oude Kerk in Delft.
The Nieuwe Kerk

This is where William the Silent has his final resting place and where members of the Dutch royal family are interred