Delft, Netherlands. In the 1670s, Delft citizen Anthony van Leeuwenhoek was the first person in history to develop microscopes powerful enough (~400 magnifications)to discover the microbial world for all of humanity. He was the first person to see bacteria, yeast, algae, red blood cells, protozoa. Come to Delft to honor Anthony.
Album by Bob Metcalf. Photos by Bob Metcalf. 1 - 80 of 80 Total. 1958 Visits.
1 Delft, Netherlands, 52°North latitude
2 Arrive Schipol airport SW of Amsterdam. Take train from Schipol SW to Den Haag HS. Change train to Delft, SE.
3 Train route from Schipol to Delft
4 Excellent train network, 1 hour from Schipol to Delft.
5 Arrive at Delft
6 New station opened in 2015
7 Inside new station
8 Outside new station
9 Pass two streets with canals.
10 Arrive at Hotel Leeuwenbrug on Koornmarkt.
11 After a night of rest, breakfast selections at Hotel Leeuwenbrug.
12 and more
13 and more
14 and more
15 and more
16 breakfast area
17 Let's start eating!
18 After breakfast, head north on Koornmarkt.
19 Walk on brick streets
20 Pass old buildings - with coats of arms, built in 1505.
21 watch the curb!
22 Destination on Oude Delft street is the Oude Kerk
23 Clock tower marks Oude Kerk
24 Canal borders west side
25 West side
26 North side
27 Clock tower
28
29 Enter Oude Kerk
30 Head for Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's tomb, north west wing.
31 van Leeuwenhoek's tomb on wall to the left
32
33 van Leeuwenhoek's tomb
34 front view of tomb
35
36 Burial location in front of tomb. Display case to the left.
37 Born 1632, died at 90 years in 1723.
38 Leeuwenhoek was an esteemed citizen of Delft, and "the father of microbiology."
39 A drawing of Leeuwenhoek and the Delft house he lived in.
40 Oil painting of Leeuwenhoek made in 1686 by Johannes Verkolje
41 Drawing of Leeuwenhoek with microscope. A small lens mounted between pieces of brass, silver, or gold.
42 Some of Leeuwenhoek's microscopes magnified an object 400 times. He was the first person to see bacteria, algae, yeasts, protozoa, red blood cells.
43 Back side, left, front side, right. small lens magnifies >200 times
44 Leeuwenheok's drawings of bacteria observed from a scraping of his back tooth. From letter #75 to the Royal Society, London, 1692.
45 Red blood cells viewed by existing Leeuwenhoek microscope, 170 magnifications.
46 Leeuwenhoek was 83 years old when he wrote this letter to the Royal Society in London.
47 "Here in Leeuwenhoek lies buried eternal science."
48 Leeuwenhoek's daughter Maria also buried here, b. 1656, d. 1745.
49 Microbiologists then and now
50 Reinier deGraaf buried near Leeuwenhoek - plaque on west wall below windows
51 In 1680 deGraaf recommended Leeuwenhoek be admitted to the Royal Society in London because of his discoveries with his microscopes.
52 Plaque for deGraaf
53 Walk to North East area.
54 Burial site of Johannes Vermeer, born in Delft the same year as Leeuwenhoek, 1632.
55 Vermeer died a pauper at age 43, in 1675. Leeuwenhoek lived another 47 years.
56 Leave the Oude Kerk, head towards Vermeer Centrum several blocks away.
57 Pass an enticing fruit stand.
58
59 and a bike shop
60 Arrive at the Vermeer Centrum. None of Vermeer's original ~35 paintings are here. Instead, there are replications.
61
62 Delft History - note Leeuwenhoek made member of Royal Society in 1680, five years after Vermeer died.
63 Vermeer's girl reading letter, ~1658.
64 Vermeer's girl with a pearl earring, painted ~1665.
65 Vermeer's girl writing letter, ~1665. Original at National Gallery, Washington, D.C.
66 Lady with a red hat. Original at National Gallery, Washington, D.C.
67 Vermeer's Geographer, ~1668, when Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria.
68 Woman with a Pearl Necklace
69 Leave Vermeer Centrum, head for Markt.
70 West view of Markt, towards Stadhuis.
71 Second view of Stadhuis.
72 View east from Stadhuis at Nieuwe Kerk, burial site of Holland royality.
73 Shop on Markt.
74 Famous Delft royal blue china.
75 Cheese shop on Markt
76 Selection of cheeses
77 and more
78 Leave Markt, head for hotel, but stop for bakery goods.
