City Hall Delft - Delft

Delft's city hall is a real eye-catcher. The magnificent building is a textbook example of Renaissance architecture. It was completed in 1620 by architect Hendrick de Keyser, one of the best architects of his time. Before this stood a medieval town hall, but it was destroyed by fire. However, the tower 'Het Steen' had survived this fire and formed the exit point of the current city hall.

The tower is Delft's oldest building and dates back to the 13th century. At the back, you can clearly see that the rest of the city hall was built around this tower. The Steen was used as a prison. With a guided tour, you can visit the prison tower including the torture instruments of old.

The town hall is where painter Johannes Vermeer, among others, got married to his wife Catharina Bolnes. The city hall is located on a large square, along which there are many other distinctive buildings. Among others, you will find the City Butterhouse where real Delft butter was traded in the 17th century, the Stadswaag and traces of the Gold and Silversmiths' Guild and the Apothekers' Guild. The guilds now house a city café, but the gable stones commemorate their former uses.