New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) | Delft

Information

Landmark: New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)
City: Delft
Country: Netherlands
Continent: Europe

New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), Delft, Netherlands, Europe

The Nieuwe Kerk is a prominent Protestant church located on the Grote Markt in Delft. It is characterized by its 108.75-meter-tall brick tower and its role as the burial site for members of the Dutch Royal Family, the House of Orange-Nassau.

Visual Characteristics

The church is a Gothic cruciform basilica constructed primarily from brick and sandstone. The tower is notable for its dark, weathered appearance, resulting from the use of Bentheimer sandstone which darkens over time. Its interior features high ribbed vaults, large stained glass windows depicting historical and biblical scenes, and a massive white marble mausoleum dedicated to William of Orange.

Location & Access Logistics

The building is situated at Markt 80, directly opposite the Delft City Hall. It is a 10-minute walk (800 meters) from the Delft Central railway station. Tram lines 1 and 19 serve the nearby "Prinsenhof" and "Nieuwe Plantage" stops. The surrounding Grote Markt is a pedestrian zone; the closest vehicle parking is located at the Zuidpoort or Marktgarage facilities.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction began in 1381 with a wooden church, which was replaced by a stone structure completed in the 15th century. The church earned the name "New Church" to distinguish it from the older Oude Kerk across the city. It has been rebuilt multiple times following a massive fire in 1536 and the "Delft Thunderclap" (a gunpowder magazine explosion) in 1654. The church is built on the stable Pleistocene sand layers of the Hondsrug ridge extension.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can climb the 376 steps of the tower for a view that extends to Rotterdam and The Hague on clear days. The central highlight of the interior is the Royal Crypt, although the active vault where current royals are interred is not open to the public; the monumental tomb of William of Orange remains visible. The church also houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the House of Orange-Nassau.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The church contains a small museum shop and information desk near the entrance. Public restrooms are available for visitors. 5G cellular reception is strong throughout the Grote Markt. While there is no food service inside the sanctuary, the square outside is densely populated with cafes and restaurants. The building is largely wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the tower climb.

Best Time to Visit

The tower offers the best photographic lighting in the morning for eastward views and late afternoon for westward views. The interior stained glass is most vibrant during midday sun. The church is open to tourists from Monday to Saturday, typically 09:00 to 18:00 (shorter hours in winter); it is closed to tourists on Sundays for religious services.

Facts & Legends

A historical oddity is that the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk was used by the scientist Simon Stevin in 1586 to perform gravity experiments, dropping lead balls to prove they fell at the same speed regardless of weight. A local "secret" is the presence of a small stone near the entrance that marks the height of the 1953 North Sea flood. Legend holds that the church's bells are among the heaviest and most melodic in the Netherlands.