Delft, NETHERLANDS
Airing Date: Jul 17th, 2006
The 17th century Dutch town of Delft, with quaint tree-lined canals and graceful humpback bridges, is everything like the picture postcard you'd come to expect of Holland.
Delft is more than 750 years old. The city owes its name to the word 'delving', digging the oldest canal, the Oude Delft. The city is also known worldwide for its' characteristic blue and white china and the Royal Delft museum and factory.
Founded in 1635, De Porceleyne Fles (The Porcelain Jar) is The Netherlands' original and most famous delft factory. Most visits to the city of Delft include a factory tour of this great company.
Also known as Royal Delft, there are certain articles that are recognised to be the standard against which all delft ware is judged. Each piece is coded with the factory mark, item number, artist's initials, and a date code.
This mark is a guarantee of genuine, entirely hand painted Delftware by Royal Delft. A certificate of authenticity is included with all orders. The factory also offers visitors the opportunity of painting your own tile in the world famous Delft Blue under the supervision of one their professional painters.
During the one hour painting workshops the painter will explain more about the fascinating process of painting. After this explanation, visitors take the brushes themselves to practice and produce their own traditional art!
When visiting Delft, a trip to Nieuwe Kerk is a must. This late-Gothic cruciform basilica on the Markt was built between 1383 and 1510. The tower was rebuilt twice - once after a fire and once having been hit by lightning.
Following the iconoclasm the originally Roman-Catholic church became Protestant in 1572. During the explosion of the gunpowder store in 1654 the medieval stained-glass windows were lost. Between 1927 and 1936 new windows were fitted - many of these have the royal family as their subject.
The largest and best-known mausoleum in the Nieuwe Kerk is of William of Orange, and the vault of the royal family is under this monument. In 1403 the town council of Delft granted permission for a monastery behind the Oude Kerk, and the Agathaklooster was founded.
In 1572 it became property of the States of Holland and William of Orange moved in. Since then it has been known as Prinsenhof or Princes' Court. Since 1947 the municipal museum Het Prinsenhof has existed in its current state. Apart from the famous bullet holes and the room where William of Orange enjoyed his last supper, visitors can enjoy a collection of Delftware and historic paintings.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Thai Airways International return to London from $1859 ex west coast, $1926 ex east coast. Price includes taxes Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 19/6/06.
Thai Airways - Web: www.thaiairways.com.au
Connect to Amsterdam from $300 return. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 19/6/06
BMI - Ph: (02) 9959 3696.
Car hire from $62 a day. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Based on 7+ days car hire of an economy sized vehicle. Prices correct at 17/7/06.
DriveAway Holidays - Ph: 1300 363 500
Rooms from $339 a night twin share. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Includes breakfast. Prices correct at 19//6/06.
Hotel De Plataan - Web: www.hoteldeplataan.nl
Royal Deft - www.royaldelft.com
For any other information on Delft go to: www.delft.nl
