Delft emerged in the 13th century along a canal called the Delf (meaning "delve" or "dig"), which gave the city its name. While it began as a rural village, it grew to become one of the major cities of Holland during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. Two major events shaped Delft's destiny: the 1536 fire that destroyed much of the medieval city (leading to the brick city we see today) and the 1654 explosion of the municipal gunpowder magazine that devastated the northern part of the city.

Delft is internationally renowned for three main contributions to history: Delft Blue pottery (Delftware), its association with the Dutch Royal Family (the House of Orange), and as the hometown of the painter Johannes Vermeer. The iconic blue and white ceramics began as local potters' attempts to replicate Chinese porcelain in the 17th century. Meanwhile, William of Orange, father of the Dutch nation, was assassinated in Delft in 1584 and buried in the New Church, beginning the tradition of royal burials there.

Today, Delft offers a more intimate and less crowded experience than Amsterdam, with its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and artistic legacy providing a quintessential Dutch atmosphere.

Royal Delft: Historical Context

Established in 1653, Royal Delft is the last remaining factory of the 32 earthenware factories that were established in Delft during the 17th century. The distinctive blue and white Delftware originated as Dutch potters attempted to replicate the popular Chinese porcelain that was being imported by the Dutch East India Company. Unable to discover the secret of porcelain, they created their own version using local clay covered with a tin glaze.

Today, master painters at Royal Delft still hand-paint each piece using centuries-old techniques. The factory museum displays antique Delftware alongside contemporary pieces, and you can watch the artisans at work using the same methods employed for over 350 years.