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Situated on the shores of the harsh North Sea, The Hague is considered the political capital of the Netherlands. Ministries, state offices and the International Court of Justice are located here. And the royal family lives here, which leaves an imprint on the culture and way of life of the city.
Who and why should come to The Hague
The sights of The Hague are a fusion of new and old. This is a city where centuries-old traditions and the realities of the current day peacefully coexist.
The original architecture, typical only for this corner of Europe, will impress those who know how to subtly feel the beauty.
Natural parks invite tired residents of the metropolis to take a break from smog-smelling cities.
In the most extraordinary city in Holland, there are more than 30 museums oriented to the public with different interests — from restless children and art lovers to hipsters and avid car enthusiasts.
Museums in The Hague
Mauritshuis
The Royal Art Gallery occupies a beautiful mansion built in the 17th century. designed by architect Jacob van Kampen. The museum has two floors and 16 rooms with luxurious interiors, which exhibit more than 250 paintings by prominent Dutch masters. Among them are masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Brueghel and Rubens.
Escher Museum
The museum is housed in a beautiful mansion built in the 18th century on Lang Voorhout. At various times it served as the home and office for four Dutch queens. Beatrix was the last to leave in 1990.
In 2002, part of the premises was transferred to the Maurits Escher Museum. The fame of the Dutch graphics brought his surreal engravings, drawings and prints, creating incredible optical illusions. The collection presents the most striking works of the master.
Muzeon
This science and educational museum is worth visiting with the whole family. Numerous expositions tell about culture, geology, industry, history, nature and human evolution.
In total, the collection contains about 300 thousand exhibits, among them: stuffed animals and birds, including extinct ones, giant bones of dinosaurs, ancient tools, costumes of the peoples of the world and other outlandish gizmos. Many stands are interactive.
Municipal Museum
It is considered the richest and most interesting museum in The Hague. It contains masterpieces of world famous artists such as Mondrian, Degas, Picasso, Kandinsky. There are halls dedicated to modern photography, fashion history and musical instruments.
Within the walls of the museum, you can also admire medieval tapestries, porcelain figurines from Japan, jewelry, leather, wood and other curious gizmos. In total, the collection of the institution has more than 50 thousand items.
Lowman Museum
This automobile museum, although not the largest in the world, is one of the most unusual. Here are collected 240 unique exhibits from around the world, giving an idea of how the automotive industry has developed: from steam engines to concept cars. A special pride of the museum is Aston Martin, which participated in the filming of Bond.
Palaces and castles
Binnenhof Castle
Built in the middle of the 13th century, the Binnenhof Castle is considered the best example of the Gothic style, and therefore is included in the top must-see attractions in Holland. Parliament sits in its medieval halls — laws are written here and political life is seething. In the same place is the residence of the Prime Minister.
Part of the castle complex is open to tourists. The main pearl is the inner building of the Ridderzaal. Rooms with stained-glass windows, massive furniture, high ceilings and chandeliers guarantee complete immersion in the bygone era of glorious knights and beautiful ladies.
On the palace square in front of the Binnenhof there is an equestrian statue of King Willem II — a rare image of a royal person on horseback. A picturesque pond, in which, as if in a mirror, the facade of the castle is reflected, complements the architectural landscape.
Peace Palace
The building of red brick, gray granite and light sandstone was erected in 1913. It houses the International and Arbitration Courts. In the appearance of its facade, 3 styles are organically combined: Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine. On the left side rises an 80-meter clock tower — a copy of the town hall in the French Calais.
The palace houses the richest library on jurisprudence and the Museum of the activities of the international court. You can visit the complex only as part of an organized excursion group.
Noordeinde Palace
The official residence of the royal family was built around the 16th century and then expanded in the 17th. The work was carried out under the supervision of the architects Pieter Post and Jakob van Kampen. It turned out a neat building, corresponding to all the canons of the classical style. The gate of the palace is decorated with the personal coat of arms of the monarch — a golden lion with a sword and 7 arrows.
Huis ten Bos Palace
Once Huis-ten-Bos was located outside The Hague, and the royal family loved to come there on vacation. Today, the palace complex is located in the city, surrounded by a beautiful park, and the monarchs still spend holidays and weekends in it. The conciseness of the facade, made in the traditional Dutch style, is compensated by the rich interior decoration.
Natural attractions and parks
Westbrook
The picturesque park is located in Scheveningen, a resort area of The Hague. It is named after the landscape designer P. Westbrook, who thought through every corner of this green area. In summer, many roses bloom here, and a huge multi-colored carpet is fragrant with sweet aromas. At this time, there are especially many guests in Westbrook.
The park has benches and gazebos for relaxation, a picturesque pond with ducks, cafes and restaurants. Playgrounds are equipped for children.
The Hague Forest
The famous forest is located in the city center and covers an area of about 100 hectares. Trees, shrubs and wild plants grow on its territory without human intervention.
The Hague Forest is popular with joggers, dog breeders and moms with young children. If you want to take a break from the noise, listen to the birds singing and take a walk among the greenery, then this forest is the best and most affordable solution. You don’t have to leave the city.
Clingendale Park
Clingendale Manor, built in the 17th century, is surrounded by a French-style park of the same name. Its territory is divided into several thematic zones. Among them are neat green lawns, a rose garden, alleys of colorful plants, Dutch and Japanese gardens.
The last one is the most interesting. It was founded by a Dutch duchess at the beginning of the 20th century. She often accompanied her husband on trips to the Land of the Rising Sun, from where she brought flowers, trees and shrubs. Since the exotic flora requires careful care in unusual and sometimes hostile climatic conditions, the Japanese Garden is open to visitors only a few months a year — from early May to mid-July.
Interesting places
Madurodam
This is a miniature park that gives an idea of the appearance of Holland. All buildings are made in 1:25 scale of plastic and wood. They realistically repeat the Binnenhof Palace, the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Schiphol Airport, the Rijksmuseum and other iconic objects located in different parts of the country. It has its own miniature canals, squares, markets and even a cheese factory.
Madurodam, like any real city, has a mayor. So in 1952 Princess Beatrix ruled the city. And since the 1980s, the mayor is elected from among the schoolchildren of The Hague.
Scheveningen
The resort area, located within The Hague, is a favorite vacation spot for locals and tourists. The shallow bottom warms up well by local standards, so windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular here. Air bath lovers are waiting for sun loungers along the long sandy beach. In the immediate vicinity there are cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and hotels.
Lange Voorhout
A picturesque street in the very center of The Hague invites you to an exciting walk. On both sides of the Lange Voorhout there are historical buildings of the 18th-19th centuries built. They house government and municipal institutions.
Beautiful lindens, which will soon turn 500 years old, grow in four rows on the alley. Lanterns decorated with crowns immerse you in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Every September, the current king of the Netherlands addresses the nation with thanksgiving and parting speeches from a rostrum installed on this street.
Piers Scheveningen
The main attraction of the resort area of the same name is equally popular with both tourists and local residents. The pier offers a beautiful panoramic view of the sea. The futuristic tower is the best backdrop for amazing selfies.
Right on the pier, a Ferris wheel is installed — the first in Europe, towering exactly above the water surface. The opening of this facility has been repeatedly postponed due to fears that it will not withstand the harsh winds. However, after numerous examinations in 2016, the ferris wheel still started working.
Churches
Church of St. James
The Protestant Church, founded in the 13th century, is the oldest building in The Hague. Despite its considerable age, it is perfectly preserved. The last global reconstruction was carried out in 1967. The main attractions are intricate stained glass windows, an organ and a wooden ceiling with a huge chandelier. Here are the graves of prominent Dutch politicians and soldiers.
new church
This unusual church was built in 1656 on the Speuy Canal, designed by the architect Bartholomeus van Bassen. The building combines two styles at once: Renaissance and Classicism. In 1702, an organ was installed in the church. And in 1969 the building was closed for reconstruction, and then turned into a concert hall.
Grote Kerk
The Grote Kerk was built in the 16th century. on the site of the wooden chapel of St. James. All the heirs to the throne of the royal family of Oranje-Nassau were baptized and married in the stone church. The interior decoration is ascetic and not of great interest, but outside it is worth taking a closer look at the church. By the way, the silhouette of a stork, the symbol of The Hague, appears on the bell of the Grote Kerk.
In 2005, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory adjacent to the church. Scientists were lucky to find many interesting exhibits. The most significant find is a fragment of the first stone city wall.
architectural landmarks
old town hall
The building in the Renaissance style was built in 1565. Previously, there was a castle on the site of the town hall, which was later destroyed. It is believed that one of the towers survived, and after that it became the city hall.
In 1882, the state institution was repaired and expanded. Now its facade is decorated with statues symbolizing faith, justice, love, strength and hope. Inside, stained-glass windows, decorative elements and paintings of the 17th century are well preserved.
Passage
This original building is a mixture of light renaissance and bold expressionism. An indelible impression is left by the semicircular Venetian roof, which allows maximum natural light to pass through. Numerous columns and arched spans complete the decoration.
Plain Square
Plain is the most elegant square in The Hague, built up with old buildings, cafes and restaurants. In its center stands a statue of William of Orange. Initially, a royal garden with irrigation canals was located on the site of the square. Generous harvests went to the kitchen of the Binnenhof castle. In 1632, the farmland was turned into a square, modeled on the Place des Vosges in Paris.
Amrath Kurhaus Hotel
The luxurious Amrath Kurhaus is the main decoration of the spa area of Scheveningen. The monumental Art Nouveau building impresses with its interiors. Skillful frescoes on the ceiling and walls, huge windows through which soft light streams, whimsical chandeliers and exclusive rooms — all this is in the palace hotel. And from its huge terrace, guests can admire the sea.
Theater Circus
The building built in 1904 was originally the «Schumann Circus» and until the mid-1960s. there were performances. The performances of acrobats, magicians and animal trainers were sold out. Then the circus was converted into a concert hall, in which the famous pianist Arthur Rubinstein played as part of his farewell tour.
In 1991, the building underwent a global reconstruction. The changes affected not only the facade, but also the halls. Huge windows and neon lighting appeared in Circus, the interior was significantly expanded, acoustics were improved and new equipment was installed.
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