Nieuwe Church

Visiting the Nieuwe Kerk was a highlight of our trip to Delft! This stunning Gothic church in the heart of Markt Square is steeped in history, with the tomb of William the Silent and the royal crypt being truly impressive. The climb up the 109-meter tower was challenging but so worth it for the breathtaking views of Delft and beyond—on a clear day, you can even see Rotterdam! The stained-glass windows and the serene interior added to the experience. The audio guide was informative and made the history come alive. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Dutch heritage or architecture!

The church is most famous as the burial place of William of Orange, the “Father of the Dutch Nation,” who was laid to rest here after his assassination in 1584. Since then, over 40 members of the Dutch royal family have been interred in the private crypt beneath the floor, sealed by a 5-tons marble. If you look closely at the marble tomb in the middle you’ll notice a small dog carved at his feet. It's his dog which refused to eat and passed away not long after his assassination, it also symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness. The tower is 109 meters tall, the 2nd tallest in the Netherlands, has 3 color as 3 period of construction: brick, limestone, and sandstone from Bentheim which turns grey after exposure with acidic rain

...the building of this church is very beautiful and impressive for anyone who sees it. It is truly a blessing to be able to see up close the old church building that began construction in 1381. This church is located in Delft's market square and opposite the city hall (stadhuis)..

Nice church , interesting history. Lead glasses are very fin. The walk up the tower was good. Short of 400 steps. Great view. Worth a visit . Come early

Beautiful Windows, lots of house of orange history. A slightly tough climb (350+) steps in a tight turning stairway, with one way up and the same way down! But the views!!!

Historic important church in delft Dutch Royals are buried there. It ia on the market square in delft. Another beautiful setting in delft.

If you’re visiting the Netherlands, I highly recommend stopping by Nieuwe Kerk in Delft. One of the highlights of this historic church is climbing its narrow and steep stairs to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city. From up there, you can see Delft’s charming canals, rooftops, and surrounding landscapes, making it a truly unforgettable experience. However, keep in mind that the climb can be challenging—it’s best suited for those who don’t have knee problems, aren’t afraid of heights, and are comfortable navigating narrow spaces. Tip: Try to visit during off-peak hours. The stairway is quite tight, and when it gets crowded, it can be tricky to move past people coming up or down. During busy times, it might take longer to enjoy the view at the top since you have to wait for others to descend. Overall, it’s an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it if you’re in Delft!

Amazing church. For anyone interested in Dutch history, architecture, or royal heritage, Nieuwe Kerk is a not-to-be-missed landmark

A ticket for €8.50 gives you access to both the Old and New Church. We visited and really liked seeing all of the stained glass. If you are looking for a challenge then head up to the tower. The climb to the top involves 376 steps and is the second-highest church tower in the Netherlands. We held off on purchasing our tickets online since the tower may be closed due to weather conditions. I recommend doing this during an off time since it is a narrower staircase with not a lot of room to pass.

This is a magnificent old Dutch Reform Church built between 1383 and 1510. The tower was built between 1396 and 1496. this according to the plaque next to the front door. Located right on the square it really stands out. The day we were there the door was locked so we could not go inside.

Do you have a fear of heights? Can't climb 350+ stairs? Don't want to see Rotterdam in the distance? Don't come here. But if any of that works for you, come here, buy a token and climb the stairs to the top. Delft is a very nice pleasant town and its fun to see it from the top of this church tower. Its the second highest steeple in Holland. The highest is in Utrecht in case you are wondering. This tower was used for some of the first gravity tests. Completed before the year 1500 (not a typo), its been around for some time. However, the first version burned down sometime later. Then the replacement burned down because it was hit by lightening. The third spire is the one you see and can climb today. The climb is not for the faint of heart. Its high. Round spiral steps. Small spaces. And there's no elevator. No matter what the reason, it just does not exist. But once at the top the views are magnificent. You can walk around the while top, 360 view. Great for pictures on a clear day. On a different track, the Dutch Royal Family get buried here, or interred anyway. Most of them who have died since 1500 are interred here. Its interesting to see this history and tradition.

Enjoyed my visit today. I bought the combo ticket for €8.50 (churches and tower). You get to visit both the New & Old churches, plus you get to go up in the tower of the New church. If you are claustrophobic, you probably shouldn't do the tower. Circular steps on the way up, and a few times I was holding on to the rail with my right hand, and my left shoulder was touching the center pole holding the steps. Fortunately I only met one group of people on the way down. At the first room you reach on the way up, you get to see the original bells from the 1600's, and the clock mechanism, which is also from the 1600's. There are a lot of stairs, but the view is awesome from the top. In the church there are several interactive stations, that tell the history of the church, and a video that shows the last couple of Royal funerals. There is a removable panel in the floor, that leads to a crypt for the Royal family. Must visit when in Delft. Ticket includes a free coffee at several cafes.

The Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, on Delft's market square is a towering Gothic church built between 1396 and 1496. It was the second parish church in Delft, hence the name "New Church". Originally a Catholic church dedicated to St. Ursula, it became a Protestant church in the 16th Century during the Reformation. The was the first church we had the opportunity to visit in The Netherlands. The interior is Gothic in design, majestic, but very plain and unadorned. (The Iconoclast movement in the 16th century removed the Catholic statuary and decoration.) The focus of Reformed worship is the wooden pulpit in the centre of the Nave. A pipe organ installed in 1839 is in the organ loft. The organist was rehearsing while we were here, adding to the experience. The most striking feature of the interior is the Mausoleum of William of Orange, located in the Choir. At first, one might think it is a highly decorated altar. But it is a monument to, and resting plea of, William of Orange (1533-1584). He is considered to be the founder of the Netherlands, as he led resistance again Spanish rule. He was assassinated in Delft and his body brought to the Nieuwe Kerk. The States General of the United Provinces commissioned the memorial, designed by Hendrick de Keyser and completed in 1621. It is in black and white marble, with five bronze figures. William's sarcophagus is in the center, covered by a canopy with four corner figures representing Liberty, Justice, Religion and Valour. A winged figure with a trumpet stands on one foot at the rear. I was most struck by the figure of Liberty. She holds a hat with the inscription "Aurea Libertas" (Golden Liberty). I believe it is William of Orange's hat. It looks something like a cowboy hat. I realized that photos I had seen of Dutch people wearing what looked like orange cowboy hats were not that at all. They are William of Orange hats! Members are the Dutch royal family since William of Orange are buried in the Royal Crypt below the church. The Royal Crypt is not open to the public, but an interpretive display describes its layout and those buried there. (The most recent interment was Queen Juliana in 2004.) The stained glass windows were installed in the mid-20th century. (The original stained glass windows were destroyed in a n explosion in 1654.) I especially liked the William & Mary window. This window commemorates Stadholder Willem III van Oranje who married Mary, the doughtier of James II. He became William III of England and she Mary II during the Glorious Revolution. The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia is named for them and Williamsburg itself named for William III. Admission includes both the Nieuwe Kerk and the Oude Kerk.

Important to visit if you wish to know more about Dutch history - and hopefully many do. The tomb of William of Orange is here and worth serous contemplation. Started in the 14th century by a beggar who insisted that he had a vision of heaven on the spot, it finally became a church. The original wooden construction was hit by lightning and burned (iconoclasts also took care of a lot of the features of the original Catholic temple). The tower is the second highest in the netherlands. The church sits right on the main square. If the weather is good, take time for a snack there and study the façade, then go visit the new Church. The ticket required is also good for the old Church, not too far away. Check out the link given here - it has a lot of good information. Delft is a much smaller city than Amsterdam - a nice contrast. Don't go just for the porcelain ware.

I generally find churches to be pretty dull after awhile. If you have seen one, you have seen them all. I am also not a fan of the Reformed Dutch austerity look. With these prejudices fully disclosed, Nieuwe Kerk is worth the visit. The tomb of William of Orange is worth the visit alone. Very cool with skulls and cray cray looking cherubs on top. The stained glass windows are a mix of contemporary and older windows which vary in interest and artistry. (The one in the apse is really awful. It is a big hot mess of a design. As my wife put it, "You need to take your glasses off to see the images." Need I say more?). There is a liberation window from WWII which was interesting and others which are explained in the guide you receive upon entry. The real reason for visiting is the 376 steps to the top of the bell tower! The view from the top is well worth the terrifying trip up these ancient stairs. On a clear day you can see for miles. Spectacular view! A major warning here, The trip up is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo...wait until you meet someone on their way down! You become quite intimate with your fellow tourists when you meet mid span. Not for the faint of heart! Forget it if you aren't quite fit.