Delfshaven is a historic harbour and one of the oldest places in Rotterdam. You will find many antique shops, the historic museum Rotterdam, shipyard De Delft and the famous Pilgrim Fathers Church in this area.

Piet Hein
Delfshaven (which means harbour of Delft) started as a colony of Delft in 1389 when Delft was connected to the river Maas. In 1795 Delfshaven became an independent city and nowadays it’s a district of Rotterdam. Delfshaven played an important role in history. In 1577 Piet Hein, a famous Dutch naval officer and folk hero, was born hero. Hein captured the Spanish treasure fleet loaded with silver during the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and Holland. You can see a statue of Hein and a replica of his birth house in Delfshaven.

Pilgrim Fathers Church
Another historic site in Delfshaven is the Old Church, better known as the Pilgrim Fathers Church. The Pilgrim Fathers did their last service in this church in 1620 before leaving Holland with the Speedwell on their way to America. After a stop in Southampton where most of them changed to the Mayflower ship they established the second successful English colony in America. Nowadays this colony is known as Plymouth, Massachusetts. There are still services in the church but you can visit the church between services as well.

Historic Museum Rotterdam
Another place of interest in Delfshaven is the Historic Museum Rotterdam, which is located in a historic warehouse. The warehouse was built in 1669 for the Dutch East India Company, which was one of the most powerful organizations in the world at that time. In the museum you can learn everything about the life of the Rotterdammers in the past and at present.

Old mill
Other interesting sites are Rotterdam’s brewery, located in the former city hall of Delfshaven, and the historic mill called De Distilleerketel. The mill processed malt which was used in the distilleries to produce genever, the alcoholic traditional liquor of the Netherlands. You can taste genever or one of the locally brewed beers in the Pelgrim brewery next to the Pilgrims Fathers Church.

In addition you will find many antique shops, bridal shops, art galleries and restaurants in the monumental buildings in Delfshaven, so there are lots of things to see and do in this historic area!