Discover Antoni's Delft

Do you want to discover new things? Step off the beaten track? Challenge yourself? Then be inspired by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek and go exploring in Delft!

On 26 August 1723, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek died at the age of 90 after a life full of wonder, observations and discoveries. Through his homemade lenses, he revealed a micro-universe never before seen by a human being. Imagine discovering a totally unknown world. How do you know what you see? And how do you show it. How do you convince others that the world is very different from what they think?

Who was Antoni van Leeuwenhoek?

In 1632, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek was born in Delft, the city where he lived and worked all his life. From an early age, he became interested in astronomy, mathematics, physics and chemistry. Antoni is known for discovering most microorganisms known today (except fungi and viruses). He discovered these through his self-fabricated microscope that underlies microscopes as we know them today.

Did he know master painter Johannes Vermeer?

Did Antoni and Johannes know each other? That could very well be the case! Antoni and Johannes appear on the same page in the baptismal book of the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft - check out the page here! There is also a suspicion that Antoni may have been the model for Johannes's paintings 'The Geographer' and 'The Astronomer'. And Antoni also acted as executor of Johannes's estate. What do you think? Could they have known each other?

Walk in the footsteps of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

Step into Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's footsteps with this free walking tour and get to know this famous Delft native and founder of microbiology. Discover the 12 important places in his life.

To route