Delft's city museum in the former Agatha Convent, where William of Orange was assassinated in 1584 – currently closed for renovation.
Through November 5, 2026
Together with Kabeldistrict Delft, the museum presents retired Strandbeests by Theo Jansen in chronological order, like natural history specimens; at the Kabeldistrict (Schieweg 15), Thu and Sun 13:00–17:00, free admission.
The museum was founded in 1897 as the Gemeentemuseum Delft and was initially housed in the city hall. In 1906 it moved into a hall of the former Sint-Agatha Convent, where a state-run historical exhibition on the Prinsenhof had already been set up in 1887.
After the Reformation, the late medieval convent on the Oude Delft served as the residence of William of Orange, who was shot here in July 1584; the bullet holes in the stairwell wall survive to this day. Between 1938 and 1962 the entire complex was restored for museum use. The ensemble is one of the Top 100 heritage sites of the Netherlands.
The collection centers on three themes: William of Orange and the beginnings of the Dutch state, Delftware, and paintings by Delft masters of the 16th and 17th centuries. These are complemented by temporary exhibitions and the community project Delftse Blik. After a redesign, King Willem-Alexander reopened the museum in 2014.
In January 2025 the museum closed for a comprehensive restoration and modernization, budgeted at around €38 million. Plans include a new entrance via the redesigned Prinsentuin garden, an elevator and new stairwells, a café and a learning studio. Reopening is scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028; until then, parts of the collection are on loan to other museums.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The building is closed. After the renovation, an elevator, two new stairwells, leveled floors and a ramp in the Prinsentuin are to provide step-free access.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Prinsenhof · 2.5-min walk
Prinsenhof stop on the Phoenixstraat: tram 1 (Delft Tanthof–Scheveningen Noord), tram 19 (Station Delft–Leidschendam) and rush-hour bus 53; about 8 minutes' walk from Delft station.
Paid parking · 3-min walk to the entrance
Prinsenhofgarage (Kampveldweg 3, open 24/7, paid) and Phoenixgarage (Phoenixstraat 29), both with accessible parking spaces.
Large parts of Delft's city center are closed to cars.
Get directionsThe former Café Blauw has closed along with the museum; a new museum café is planned. The museum's shop Winkeltje Kouwenhoven (Sint Agathaplein 3A) remains open.
As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.
No venue rental during the renovation; the Van der Mandelezaal is to be available for events again after the reopening.
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | No museum lessons during the closure; as an alternative for school classes in Dutch grades 7/8, the theater performance Strijdtoneel with de zAAk A at Theater de Veste (reservations: reservering-prinsenhof@delft.nl, +31 15 219 7927). |
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