Delft, Schipluiden, Zweth

With this generous bike route you will discover the impressive history of Delft and its surroundings. Until the 17th century Delft was one of the largest cities in the Netherlands.

Prince William of Orange found Delft an excellent city to reside in. From 1572 the prince stayed in the Sint-Agatha convent, later also called Prinsenhof. This is also where he was eventually murdered. Because his family grave in Breda was inaccessible due to the Spanish occupation, William of Orange was buried in the New Church in Delft. Since then, all members of the Dutch Royal Family are buried here after their death.

Cycle from the New Church to De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, also known as Royal Delft. Here you will discover the history of the world-famous Delft Blue earthenware.

The Delftse Schie between Delft and the Nieuwe Maas has been the most important shipping link between Delft and Rotterdam for centuries. From Delft there is a towpath to Maassluis, which was used in the 17th century to get fresh fish from Maassluis to the market in Delft as quickly as possible. The area between these water connections is now more or less the green municipality of Midden-Delfland and is also called the 'little green heart'.

While cycling through the meadows, past the willows and the monumental farmhouses, you will notice why it is important that this piece of primal Dutch landscape is protected: it should remain so beautifully green!