Towering Above

The current form of Delft's Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) was started in 1396. The tower is the 2nd tallest in The Netherlands. Erected in 1872, it stands 108.75 meters high, and if you are interested in the view you can walk the 356 steps to the top.

Sorry, you won't be seeing any photos from the top of the tower on this blog. You'll have to be content with the ground level view.

The Nieuwe Kerk holds the crypt of the royal family and the memorial tomb of Willem I.

Memorial in Glass

The Old Church (Oude Kerk) in nearby Delft dates to 1246, but various calamities (fires and gunpowder explosions), not to mention the iconoclasm of the protestant reformation, kept the windows plain until the 1960s, when new stained glass windows were commissioned. This window celebrates Koningin (Queen) Wilhelmina, the longest serving dutch monarch (1890-1948).

The window appears to show her return to the war-torn Netherlands after WWII (where she ruled in exile from the UK). Apparently Winston Churchill once said she was the "only man in the Dutch government," a quote that says a lot about both leaders.

Princely Window

Detail from the Prinswillemraam (Prince William window) in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in nearby Delft. This is the same church that holds the memorial to Prince William and the crypt of the House of Oranje-Nassau. The windows are from the early 20th century, as the old windows were destroyed in previous fires and gunpowder explosions.

We've been awarded the You Made My Day award by "Blue Chic" from Chicago Daily Photo. Thanks, B.C.! We invite readers to take a look at other photo blogs from The Netherlands:
The Hague, Rotterdam, Texel, Zeeland, and Naarden. Also, visit the blogs from our previous homes from Chicago (Chicago, Chicago, Inverness, Nunda) and Detroit.

Royal Tomb

Above you see the likeness of Prins Willem I (Prince William I) of Orange, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, known as William the Silent, founder of the House of Orange-Nassau (the dutch royal family). His mausoleum stands in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in nearby Delft, the city where he was assassinated in 1584.

The monument was constructed 30 years after his death. The front is flanked by statues representing Liberty and Justice (Religion and Strength/Valour are at the back).

There are two likenesses of the prince; the bronze statue seated at the front (left), and the marble tomb (above). At the base of his tomb (below) lies his dog; legend has it that the dog refused to eat or drink after his master's death, and so he lies eternally cast in stone at Willem's feet.

Prince Willem is a national hero for his battles against the Spaniards, who during his time controlled the country and persecuted dutch protestants. Following Willem's death, all dutch royals have been buried in the royal crypt at this church. The House of Orange crypts in Breda could not be reached at the time of Willem's death because that part of the Netherlands was under Spanish control.

A big "thank you" to all who visited and commented on yesterday's Theme Day blog. Like me, a number of bloggers are continuing the theme this week; check back for more cemetery/grave postings.

Another Golden Look

A final look at the Gouden Koets as it passes through The Hague. And you can still see Princess Maxima waving to the crowd.

There's a little bit about the coach, which has been in use for over a century, in english on Wiki.

And that's all for the Prinjesdag pics; next week we'll return to "normal" shots from the area.

Hey, that's our neighbor in there...

Well, sort of. That's Princess Maxima waving to the crowd. She and her family (Prince Willem-Alexander and their three daughters) live in Wassenaar. Although we haven't spotted them, they've been known to shop on the Langstraat and most residents say you might even run into the princess at the Albert Heijn.

Yesterday was Prinsjesdag, the day of the Queen's annual speech to Parliament in The Hague. The Royal Family travel in the Gouden Koets (Golden Coach) on their way to the Ridderzaal in the Binnenhof. I managed to squeeze in the huge crowd that lines the parade route, sticking my camera in the air and wildly taking shots. I'll show more this week; apologies to The Hague Daily Photo for invading her territory (but hey, we're only 9 kms apart).

Oh, and with a little bit of cropping, zooming, and contrast adjustment, you can just barely see Queen Beatrix in the background.

Memorial to Emma

Speaking of Queen Wilhelmena (see yesterday's post), this is a monument to her mother, Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Emma reigned as regent between 1890-1898, the time between the death of her husband King William III and Queen Wilhelmina's 18th birthday.

This monument was erected in 1937 by the people of Wassenaar.

Queen Wilhelmena

This is the memorial to Queen Wilhelmena in The Hague. Behind the statue, the wall is inscribed with the title of her autobiography "Eenzam maar niet Alleen," which translates to "Alone but not Lonely."