| The name "Delft" is synonymous with porcelain, and this town of 85,000 is justifiably famous for the blue-and-white pottery that Italian immigrtants began making here in the 16th century. Delft flourished in the 17th century and was home to one of Holland's greatest painters, Jan Vermeer. But the greatest attraction of Delft is the town itself, or at least the historic city center, which is crammed with 17th and 18th century houses, streets that overlook canals, magnificent public buildings, outdoor markets, and a surprising number of museums for a city that has such a small population. |
