Orange Route

This walk is also available as a podwalk. Walk through Delft with your earphones and listen to the story.
Click here to go to the podwalk.

William of Orange was born in 1533 in Dillenburg, Germany. At the age of 11, he inherits many possessions and territories from his cousin René of Chalon, including the principality of Orange in southern France. This made William not only Count of Nassau, but also Prince of Orange.

In 1568, the Netherlands revolted against their ruler Philip II, king of Spain, partly because of his hard line in upholding the Catholic Church against rising Protestantism. Leading the revolt was William of Orange. Delft sided with the prince in 1572. This meant, among other things, that the Old and Nieuwe Kerk passed into 'reformed' hands. The ten monasteries that once numbered Delft were abolished. Most were demolished, some were spared and given another use. Many Catholics fled the city.

William of Orange did not feel safe in the indefensible The Hague and as Delft was the nearest fortified city, he sought refuge here. In 1572, the prince stayed with his family and court for the first time in the Prinsenhof, the former Sint-Agatha monastery, and it became one of his permanent residences in the Netherlands. From here, on behalf of the States General, he led the revolt against the Spanish rulers in what we now call the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648). The Oranges have left their mark on Delft since 1572. This walk takes you past the most important places and buildings.