Permanent Collection
The historic complex that now houses the 'Prinsenhof' Municipal Museum was originally built as a convent, dedicated to Saint Agatha, at the beginning of the 15th century. The number of nuns resident at the convent increased steadily into the 16th century. This period of expansion came to an abrupt end in 1572 when Delft fell into protestant hands. The States of Holland took possession of the building and gave it to William of Orange as a residence. It was then that it was christened 'Prinsenhof'. William of Orange was murdered here by Balthasar Gerards on 10 July 1584. Two bullet  holes in the wall bear silent witness to this event.
The Prinsenhof has been used as a museum since 1887. Its vast collection constitutes a varied view of the history of Delft, as well as its arts and crafts, during the 16th and 17th centuries. In addition to a small collection of religious art, including 'Ecce Homo' by Maerten van Heemskerck, city scenes (H.C. Vroom and Daniel Vosmaer), church interiors (Gerard Houckgeest and Emanuel de Witte), portraits of prominent Delft citizens, military portraits, a unique collection of anatomical pieces (Michiel van Mierevelt) and an extensive overview of the development of still life are also exhibited. Moreover, several exhibition rooms around the 'murder vestibule' are dedicated to the Eighty Years' War and the roles that members of the House of Orange played in it.