Audio tour Project D-colonization

Virtual walking tour in Delft

You are about to start a virtual walking tour in Delft along the traces of the colonial system that was constructed from the 17th century onwards. You will meet individuals operating in this system on different levels and in different times. The city of Delft flourished in the colonial era that lasted 400 years. Therefore, the effects on the lives of its citizens are still tangible. According to our beliefs, colonial history focuses too often on numbers, years and other trivialities, leaving the personal experience behind. This easily creates a distance between Dutch imperial history and the contemporary Dutch society. Sometimes, the colonial past of the Netherlands is over-romanticized or oversimplified. In an attempt to bring colonial history closer to home, you will find the life stories of people who benefitted the most of colonial enterprises, and people who suffered the most from them. All of their stories are visible in the city of Delft and this tour is here to help you recognize them. Below, we will introduce the main topics of the Delft’s colonial history and in the tour you will encounter the individuals connected to these topics.