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All the Netherlands Delft Vermeer's Grave
AO Edited

Vermeer's Grave

The grave of the famous painter is marked by a simple stone in the ground.

Delft, Netherlands

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CoolCrab
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About

The Oude Kerk, or the Old church is an 11th-century church in Delft that is the final resting place of some very famous Dutchmen. One of the best-known inhabitants is Johannes Vermeer, the 17th-century painter behind paintings like Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid.

While many may expect a grandiose tomb, in fact, Vermeer's burial place is simply marked by a small tombstone on the ground. Though some have guessed that the tombstone is so small because Vermeer was buried upright, in actuality, the stone was placed long after his death in 1675. 

Vermeer had been buried in a family crypt in the church. When he died, there was not enough money to pay for a separate tombstone. But as Vermeer became more well-known, many people visited his grave, and the stone was put there to satisfy visitors.

In 1975, on the 300th anniversary of the painter's death, a new marker was installed around the location of the former family grave. A larger one was put in place near the church's western entrance in 2007.

Related Tags

Artists Graves History Tombs

Know Before You Go

Combination tickets are sold for access to the Oude Kerk and the Nieuwe Kerk, check the website for prices. 

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CoolCrab

Published

August 23, 2023

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Sources
  • http://www.essentialvermeer.com/delft/delft_today/oude_and_nieuwe.html
  • https://indebuurt.nl/delft/genieten-van/mysteries/delftse-mysteries-is-johannes-vermeer-echt-rechtop-begraven~59691/
Vermeer's Grave
25 HH Geestkerkhof
Delft, 2611 HP
Netherlands
52.012743, 4.355949
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Nearby Places

Museum Prinsenhof Delft

Delft, Netherlands

miles away

Reactor Institute Delft

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Van Kleef Museum and Distillery

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Delft

Delft

Netherlands

Places 3

Nearby Places

Museum Prinsenhof Delft

Delft, Netherlands

miles away

Reactor Institute Delft

Delft, Netherlands

miles away

Van Kleef Museum and Distillery

The Hague, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Delft

Delft

Netherlands

Places 3

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