Delfshaven

View of the harbour of Delfshaven as it appears today.

Delfshavenis aboroughofRotterdam,Netherlands, on the right bank ofriverNieuwe Maas.It was a separatemunicipalityuntil 1886.

The town of Delfshaven grew around theportof thecityofDelft.Delft itself was not located on a major river, so in 1389 a harbour was created about 10 km (6 mi) due south of the city, to be able to receive seafaring vessels and avoidtollsbeing levied by the neighbouring and competing city ofRotterdam.This settlement was named Delfshaven ( "Port of Delft" ).

On 1 August 1620 thePilgrim fathersleft Delfshaven with theSpeedwell.Since then, the town's Oude Kerk has also been known as the Pelgrimskerk, or in English, the "Pilgrim Fathers Church".

Delfshaven, inJoan Blaeu's collectionTooneel der Steeden,1649

Fishing,shipbuildingand the distillery ofjeneverwere the main sources of income. TheDutch East India Companyhad importantwharvesandwarehousesin Delfshaven, and one of theDutch West India Company's most famouscommanders,Piet Hein,was born here.

Delfshaven belonged to the city and municipality of Delft until 1795, when it declared itself to be an independent municipality, under protest from Delft. In 1825 it got city rights. Delfshaven was annexed by Rotterdam in 1886 at its own request. The current borough has about 73,000 inhabitants. Its small historic centre has been carefully preserved. It features modest localmuseums,abreweryand variousdininganddrinkingfacilities.

Delfshaven escaped thebombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffeon 14 May 1940. Later during the Second World War, the area around theVisserijpleinand other parts of the western city of Rotterdam were destroyed byAllied bombingon 31 March 1943.

See also

• St Mary's Church, Rotterdam,Anglican church in Delfshaven

External links

• Historisch Delfshaven,YouTube video
• Shipyard 'De Delft'Reconstruction of theship of the lineDelft(1783–1797). Museum and shipyard are open to visitors.