Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Delft

Windmill De Roos (The Rose) is located on the former city wall of Delft. The mill was built in 1679 on a roundel, a semi-circular defensive structure. A wooden post mill had already been standing on the same spot since 1500. This mill is the only remaining mill of the eighteen windmills in Delft. Originally De Roos was also made of wood. In steps, it was converted into a brick one, which gave the mill a special shape. For instance, the substructure is hexagonal and the superstructure round. In 1728, the dwelling house was built in a semicircle around the mill. Around 1760, the mill looked as it does today. The mill was in bad shape in the early 1980s. It was crooked due to a subsidence in 1929 and the cap was badly affected by a beetle. In 1988, the mill was refurbished and the superstructure straightened. Windill De Roos is still used for grinding flour; since spring 2015 it is grinding organic grain for private individuals, bakers and the catering industry. The mill is turning a couple of days a week and can be visited.

The first construction of the town hall in Delft dates back to 1200. In 1400, it was rebuilt or remodelled. In 1618 the town hall burned down. It was then rebuilt to a design by Hendrick de Keyser - a famous Dutch architect - in 1618-1620. Over the centuries the town hall was modified several times. In the process, the double staircase to the main entrance had to give way, the main entrance was widened at the cost of two windows, and the shutters and stained-glass windows disappeared. In the 20th century, the town hall was restored under the direction of architect Jo Kruger, and is now back to the state of Hendrick de Keyser's design in the Dutch Renaissance style. The town hall was the former seat of the city council; nowadays it is still used for wedding ceremonies. The building is an important landmark of Delft.

The Oostpoort (Eastern Gate) is an example of Brick Gothic architecture. Its twin towers flank an entrance moat and bridge. The gate was built around 1400. In the 16th century they were raised with hexagonal floors and high pointed spires. The gate is located in perhaps one of the most enchanting corners of Delft. The Oostpoort was once known as “Saint Catherine’s Gate” and is the eldest medieval entranceway to Delft. Originally there were nine gates to Delft. Eight were demolished by 1847. The Oostpoort is the last remaining gate in the city. The gate consists of a land-gate and a water-gate that are connected by the remains of the city wall. The Oostpoort was last restored in 1962-1964. Nowadays it serves as an art gallery and private residence.

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) - the oldest parish church and oldest building in Delft - was officially founded in 1246 (the same year in which Delft received city rights by count Willem II), even though it is generally assumed that there had been a wooden church on this site as early as 1050.This church was originally known as Sint Bartholomeuskerk . In the middle of the 13th century, the earlier building had been rebuilt and extended by “Bartholomeus van der Marde”. The gothic tower, with its brick spire and four angle towers, was added between 1325 and 1350. Throughout the ages, the leaning tower, probably built on an early filled-up canal, has been the cause of considerable alarm to many inhabitants. In 1843, the City Council of Delft, fearing the collapse of the tower, decided that it had to be pulled down to the level of the church roof. Local contractors were able to prevent this decision from actually being carried out. Nowadays, the leaning tower of the Oude Kerk is a prominent landmark of Delft, fondly called by the citizens the Scheve Jan (Leaning Jan). The precious interior including the elaborately crafted stained-glass windows had been completely destroyed by the iconoclasts of 1566 and 1572. Only the beautifully carved pulpit from 1548 has survived. Approximately 400 people are entombed in the Oude Kerk; among them a lot of wellknown Dutch historical figures, like the painter Johannes Vermeer, naval heroes Piet Hein and Maarten Tromp and scientist Anton van Leeuwenhoek (PiP5).

Delft is one of the cities in the Netherlands that has a number of so called hofjes . A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. Characteristically, almost all are built around an inner garden. The Klaeuwshofje is named after the brewery “In De Claeuw”. It was founded in 1605 by the Uyttenhage van Ruyven couple. Often, hofjes are founded as inheritance of his or her founder, which is not the case with The Klaeuwshofje . In fact, it was built when the couple was still alive. The Klaeuwshofje is one of the more hidden courtyards in Delft. The houses were intended for unmarried or widowed Catholic women. After a renovation, nowadays the inhabitants have double the amount of space; an improvement over the original sizes of the houses.