Royal Crypt at Nieuwe Kerk, Delft, Royal burial vault in Nieuwe Kerk, Delft, Netherlands
The Royal Crypt is an underground burial chamber beneath William of Orange's monument in the Nieuwe Kerk's choir section in Delft. The structure consists of three chambers that hold remains of members of the Dutch royal family.
After William of Orange was killed in Delft in 1584, this location became the burial place for the Dutch royal family. The space expanded over the centuries as more family members were laid to rest, and underwent a third expansion in 2022.
The entrance displays the Orange-Nassau coat of arms and carries a Latin inscription honoring William I. These symbols shape how visitors experience the space and reflect the dynasty's importance to Dutch identity.
The crypt is accessed through the choir section of the church and is open during the building's visiting hours. Visitors should expect limited lighting and steps leading down to the underground chambers.
During World War II, the crypt faced flooding from groundwater when fuel for Delft's pumping stations ran out. The rising water threatened the chamber and the royal tombs within.
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