Museum Prinsenhof Delft and the Old and New Churches Delft are organizing a new series of city walks, Traces of Slavery, as a follow-up to the sold-out walks in 2025. In the period surrounding Keti Koti, when the abolition of slavery is commemorated and celebrated in more and more places in the Netherlands, Traces of Slavery invites you to consciously reflect on Delft’s history of slavery. The route leads past historical sites in the city center and impressively demonstrates how the colonial past has left its mark in Delft as well. The walks are held in Dutch.

Walk with impact
Accompanied by an expert guide, participants discover stories that have long remained underexposed. The walk invites you to look at the city from a different perspective, even for those who think they know Delft well. Along the route, stops are made at historical locations connected to the VOC and WIC, as well as at companies, individuals, and institutions that played a role in colonial history. Traces of Slavery also shows how this history continues to influence the present. The guide invites participants to engage in conversation about this.

“A unique city walk that changes your perspective on history. A walk that truly makes an impression.” – Participant in the city walk in 2025

Meaningful collaboration
Traces of Slavery is an initiative of Museum Prinsenhof Delft in collaboration with the Old and New Church Delft. Both institutions feel a shared responsibility to share the difficult and less-told chapters of Delft’s history with a broad audience. The collaboration brings together historical knowledge, social engagement, and public reach.

Museum tour outside
The city walk builds upon the museum tour Traces of Slavery by Museum Prinsenhof Delft, the Slavery Past tour by the Old and New Church, and the walk developed by the church in collaboration with Erfgoed Delft. The museum tour originated in co-creation with descendants of colonialism within the museum program De Delftse Blik . Due to the renovation of Museum Prinsenhof Delft, the tour is now taking on a new form in the city, as part of the program Museum Prinsenhof Delft Outdoors .

Practical information
The walks are in Dutch and take place on Friday, June 26, Saturday, June 27, and Wednesday, July 1, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. It is also possible to book a group tour upon request.

More information and reservations:
https://www.museumprinsenhofdelft.nl/activiteiten/interactieve-stadswandeling-sporen-van-slavernij

Image: The route passes historical sites in the city center of Delft. Photo: Marco De Swart