Delft

is a city in South Holland (Zuid-Holland), the Netherlands, located halfway between Rotterdam and The Hague (Den Haag). Delft is also a municipality. It has 94.098 inhabitants (2005).

History

The city dates from the 12th century. It received its charter in 1246.

Related Topics:
12th century - Charter - 1246

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The association of the House of Orange with Delft began when William of Orange (Willem van Oranje), nicknamed William the Silent, took up residence there in 1572. William was the leader at the time in the struggle against the Spanish, the Eighty Years' War.

Related Topics:
House of Orange - William of Orange - 1572 - Eighty Years' War

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Delft was one of the leading cities of Holland and was equipped with the necessary city walls to serve as a headquarters. When William was shot to death in 1584 by Balthazar Gerards in the hall of the Prinsenhof, the family's traditional burial place in Breda was in the hands of the Spanish. He was buried in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), starting a tradition for the House of Orange that has continued to the present day.

Related Topics:
Holland - City wall - 1584 - Balthazar Gerards - Breda - Nieuwe Kerk

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In 1654, the city was badly damaged and over 100 people killed in the Delft Explosion.

Related Topics:
1654 - Delft Explosion

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Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek was born here.

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