Beestenmarkt (Animal Market), Delft

Beestenmarkt (Animal Market), Delft (must see)

The Animal Market has gone through at least three major incarnations. At first, in the period 1449 to 1595 there were no beasties and no market. There was only Franciscan monastery cloister.

By 1595 the Protestant Reformation had come to town and the Monks were passe. The cloister evaporated and a square was formed. What to do with it? How about an animal market? Yes, in 1595 the square became the Animal Market. It was the place for the Westland farmers from South Holland province to buy and sell their cattle.

Trading began when the bell rang. A "Sheep Bell" was installed at number 9 on the market square in 1734. By 1972, with the help of foot-and-mouth disease, the animal market was passe.

The square is pedestrian, with walkways surrounding a raised, paved area shaded by plane trees. In the center is an earthenware sculpture of a bull by artist Rob Brandt. In the winter the square becomes an ice-skating rink.

The family of artist Vermeer once lived at the house known as The Three Hammers at Animal Market number 26. The ground floor of 26 is now a pub. The square is lined with a variety of pubs, cafes and restaurants. In the summer the cafes have terraces in the square. Live music in the square is not uncommon.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Delft. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Beestenmarkt (Animal Market) on Map

Sight Name: Beestenmarkt (Animal Market)
Sight Location: Delft, Netherlands (See walking tours in Delft)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Delft, Netherlands

Create Your Own Walk in Delft

Create Your Own Walk in Delft

Creating your own self-guided walk in Delft is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Delft Introduction Walking Tour

Delft Introduction Walking Tour

The word "delven" in Dutch means "to dig." The town of Delft began in 1075 when a nobleman decided to build his dream manor where a canal crossed the silted up river Gantel. A settlement became a market town with a large market square. The town was called "Delft."

Canals were vital to Delft. Flat-bottomed boats brought in products, fuel and people. In 1246 Count...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Johannes Vermeer's Delft Walk

Johannes Vermeer's Delft Walk

The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632 – 1675) spent almost his entire life in his home town, Delft. He left only a few times, towards the end, on the short trips to Amsterdam and The Hague.

The old Delft undoubtedly was one of the most typical little towns of the 17th-century Netherlands, and as such, was rather picturesque. Just like any other Dutch place, Delft was dominated by its...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles