The motion by members Mohandis and Beckerman (GroenLinks-PvdA/SP) was adopted this afternoon by a large majority. It is now up to the Minister of Education, Culture and Science to provide financial support for the restoration and renovation of the Museum Prinsenhof Delft.

Earlier this year, former Minister Bruins—in response to the Hylkema/Fenicks report on the falling-between-the-deep restoration of major monuments—allocated funding for monuments like the Museum Prinsenhof Delft. This funding will not be made available through a regulation until mid-2026. This is too late for the Museum Prinsenhof Delft. With this motion, the House of Representatives is increasing pressure to allocate funding for the museum’s restoration and renovation this year.

” This motion brings the long-awaited contribution from the national government within reach. The contribution is the final piece that is still missing. We expect the Minister to implement the motion this year .” Janelle Moerman, Director of the Museum Prinsenhof Delft

The Prinsenhof Museum in Delft is housed in a top 100 national monument requiring urgent, comprehensive restoration. Work began this summer because the restoration could no longer be postponed. The monument will be restored as sustainably as possible and made accessible to everyone (from 5% to 90%). The required €38 million is being funded by the municipality of Delft (€18 million), a large private donation (€10 million), the province of South Holland (€2 million), the VriendenLoterij (€1.5 million), and numerous contributions, both large and small, from funds, individuals, and businesses. €5 million is still needed to cover the costs. Only the national government is not (yet) participating. This motion will change that.

The cradle of our democracy lies in the Prinsenhof Museum in Delft. Here, William of Orange wrote his apology and laid the foundation for the Netherlands as we know it today. The bullet holes in the wall still bear the marks of William of Orange’s assassination. It is crucial that this important national monument be preserved for future generations.

About Museum Prinsenhof Delft
Museum Prinsenhof Delft is a museum of national significance, sharing, enriching, and preserving its exceptional collection (based on the three themes of William of Orange, Delft Masters, and Delftware) with a diverse audience, where everyone feels welcome. From its monumental cloister—a Top 100 National Heritage Site—the museum invites (inter)national visitors to embark on a journey through six centuries of art and history, discovering Delft’s own unique (open and curious) perspective on the world. The fascinating and ongoing interaction between Delft and the wider world is the starting point for Museum Prinsenhof Delft’s programming. Due to renovations, the museum is currently closed, but the museum continues its programming under the umbrella of Museum Prinsenhof Delft .

Text: Museum Prinsenhof Delft

Translation to English: Delft Online

Featured photo: Marco De Swart