Follow in the footsteps of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

55 minutes (3.0 km)

ABOUT THIS ROUTE Let’s step back in time, to when the Republic of the Seven United Provinces was experiencing a boom in trade.

Science in the 17th century
Delft was home to an office (chamber) of the Dutch East India Company, the first listed company in the world; the paintings of artists such as Johannes Vermeer and Pieter de Hooch; and the world of science of figures such as Hugo de Groot and Reinier de Graaf. There was a network of scientists and artists.

The founder of microbiology
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) did his scientific research alongside the everyday work with which he earned his living. Using microscopes he built himself, he was the first to discover bacteria and spermatozoids, among other things. He was the founder of microbiology.

Sights on this route

1

Oostpoort - Walkingtour Antoni

The gate was built around 1400 and the towers were heightened in the 16th century. The Oostpoort consists of a land-gate and a water-gate that are connected by the remains of the city wall.

Oostpoort 1
2611RZ Delft
Oostpoort - Walkingtour Antoni
2

Van Leeuwenhoek was born on Oosteinde 6, the house was pulled down in 1928, and the site is now home to a primary school with a courtyard.

Oosteinde 6
2611SN Delft
3

Nieuwe Kerk - Walking route Antoni

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek was born ‘Thonis (Antoni)’ in Delft on 4 November 1632.

Markt 880
2611GW Delft
Nieuwe Kerk - Walking route Antoni
4

Hippolythusbuurt 1
2611hm delft
5

Oude Kerk Monument to Antoni - Walkingroute Antoni

The Oude Kerk contains the final resting place of Van Leeuwenhoek and Reinier de Graaf.

Heilige Geestkerkhof 25
2611HP Delft
Oude Kerk Monument to Antoni - Walkingroute Antoni
6

Oude Delft 167
2611HB Delft
7

Pieter van Foreest - Walkingroute Antoni

PIETER VAN FOREEST – A MODERN DOCTOR Pieter van Foreest (1521-1597), city physicianThe physician Pieter van Foreest was made city physician of Delft in 1558, a position...

Oude Delft 147
2611HA Delft
Pieter van Foreest - Walkingroute Antoni
8

The Meisjeshuis - Wandeling Antoni

Between 1578 and 1954, the Meisjeshuis was an orphanage for girls from reformed families who had lost one of their parents.

Oude Delft 116
2611CG Delft
The Meisjeshuis - Wandeling Antoni
9

The Study of Reinier de Graaf - Walkingroute Antoni

Museum of medicine and pharmacology ‘De Griffioen’ Visitors to the museum can see a historical pharmacy and a room dedicated to Reinier de Graaf. The collection gives a great impression of the development of medicine.

Koornmarkt 66
2611EN Delft
The Study of Reinier de Graaf - Walkingroute Antoni

Directions

1

Oostpoort - Walkingtour Antoni

The gate was built around 1400 and the towers were heightened in the 16th century. The Oostpoort consists of a land-gate and a water-gate that are connected by the remains of the city wall.

Oostpoort 1
2611RZ Delft
Oostpoort - Walkingtour Antoni

Our route begins at the historic Oostpoort, the only remaining city gate in Delft. The gate was built around 1400 and the towers were heightened in the 16th century. The Oostpoort consists of a land-gate and a water-gate that are connected by the remains of the city wall.

At the end of Oosteinde, you’ll see the Nieuwe Kerk on your left. Cross Nieuwe Langendijk diagonally and walk past the statue of ‘The Milkmaid’ on your right, which is also the side of the Nieuwe Kerk. Walk past the ‘Blue heart’ in the direction of Markt. On the opposite side of the road, you’ll see the Maria van Jessekerk.Walk across the Markt to the city hall. There’s a cheerful bustle in the square on Thursdays, when the market is held.

Walk over to the statue of Hugo de Groot.

Walk across the Markt to the city hall. There’s a cheerful bustle in the square on Thursdays, when the market is held.

Walk up Voldersgracht and immediately turn right, cross the bridge and turn right again into Hippolytusbuurt. On the façade of the Van Maanen bakery cafe, you’ll see a plaque to Antoni.

Walk along Hippolytusbuurt, and you will see the back of the Oude Kerk. Turn left and walk to the entrance.

Walk past the statue of ‘Geertruyt van Oosten 1330-1358’ and cross the bridge. If you walk through the gate, you’ll come to the Museum Prinsenhof and the Prinsenkwartier.

Keep walking past the Meisjeshuis (the girls’ orphanage) and follow the railings; immediately on the corner, you will see a plaque to Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.

You are now standing before a small but unique museum of medicine and pharmacology, ‘De Griffioen’.

9

The Study of Reinier de Graaf - Walkingroute Antoni

Museum of medicine and pharmacology ‘De Griffioen’ Visitors to the museum can see a historical pharmacy and a room dedicated to Reinier de Graaf. The collection gives a great impression of the development of medicine.

Koornmarkt 66
2611EN Delft
The Study of Reinier de Graaf - Walkingroute Antoni