Here are the top 10 interesting things to do and the best attractions in The Hague (Den Haag) for your vacation, such as Prison Gate Museum, Peace Palace, Madurodam, and Knights’ Hall.
What is The Hague Famous For?
The Hague is renowned as the Global City of Justice and Peace. The Hague is also the seat of the Dutch government and the residence of the Dutch Royal Family. One of the most multicultural cities in The Netherlands is this one. The historical district, renowned museums, and Scheveningen Beach are among the city’s well-known highlights.
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10 Best Things to Do In The Hague
Visit Escher in the Palace – Best Things to Do In The Hague
This magnificent collection of the artist M. The historic Winter Palace of the Queen Mother Emma is now home to C. Escher. The permanent collections are the main draw at this location, despite the building itself being a historic attraction. Highlights of the exhibition, dubbed Escher in the Palace (Escher in Het Paleis), include over 150 original prints and lithographs of some of his most well-known pieces, which are recognized for their perplexing manipulations of perspective and perception.
Other noteworthy collections contain early works by Escher as well as the lithograph stones and wood blocks from which he carved his prints. The museum promotes interaction between people of all ages by providing a children’s scavenger hunt and the opportunity for visitors to experiment with making their own tessellations and optical illusions. There are helpful audio guides as well as English-language guided tours available. On the property, there is also a café and a museum store.
Explore the Many Buildings of the Historic Binnenhof In The Hague
The Binnenhof, or “Inner Court,” a haphazard collection of houses built around a sizable central courtyard, is situated in the middle of The Hague’s oldest district. Originating around 1250 and connected to the construction of a castle (now long gone), Binnenhof in The Hague quickly rose to become the home of the reigning elite and now serves as the location of both chambers of Parliament.
The superb Ridderzaal, or Knights’ Hall, is the most significant building in the complex and is still used for events and receptions (for more information on this magnificent building, see #5 below). The chamber serves as the prime minister’s formal home in the North Wing. Additionally significant are the 1511-year-old Rolzaal courthouse and the Lairessezaal, which feature paintings by Gerard de Lairesse from the 17th century.
The First Chamber, which is noteworthy for its painted medallions depicting statesmen and the face of King William II beneath the nation’s coat of arms, is another highlight. From 1815 until 1992, the Second Chamber, the legislative body that oversees the government, met in the former ballroom.
The Knights’ Hall Takes You Back in Time
The 13th-century Knights’ Hall (Ridderzaal), a magnificent historical structure, is still used for state receptions and the inauguration of parliament each September. It is located at the east end of the Binnenhof’s central courtyard (see #2 above). This enormous Gothic hall, which is 40 meters by 20 meters, is home to numerous amazing stained-glass windows featuring the coats of arms of Dutch towns, as well as the stunning Rose Window, which displays the crests of the country’s leading aristocratic families.
The hefty timber roof structure resembles an upside-down ship with its 18-meter-long beams, and carved wooden heads representing spies from the “higher powers” are meant to discourage assembly members from telling lies. Prior to being renovated in 1904, it had previously served as a market, promenade, drill hall, playground, and even a hospital after being constructed initially as a banqueting hall.
Visit Lisse
Lisse, which is around 30 kilometers (or about a half-hour drive or an hour on the train) from The Hague, is the ideal vacation spot for those who enjoy flowers. It is the location of Keukenhof, one of the best floral parks in the Netherlands, which features large gardens and presents various events all summer long.
The Black Tulip Museum, located close by, provides visitors with a comprehensive look at the history of the Dutch tulip business. ‘t Huys Dever, a charming castle from the 12th century, is located in Lisse and is open for tourists.
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The Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort)
The Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort) is a well-preserved gatehouse constructed in 1296. The Prison Gate Museum is located on the north side of the Binnenhof. Brothers Cornelis and Johan de Witt, who was charged with attempting to kill Prince William III, were assassinated here in 1672 after the building was converted to a jail in the 15th century (a monument to them stands in the nearby courtyard).
Since the 1880s, the historic prison and torture chambers have been exposed to the public. They have a sizable collection of artwork, prints, artifacts, and tools of torture that depict the functioning of the legal system in the 17th century. It is possible to take tours in English.
Haagse Bos Hiking And Huis Ten Bosch Visit
Haagse Bos, a two-kilometer-long parkland area regarded as one of The Hague’s nicest open spaces, is renowned for its lovely curving pathways. It’s a wonderful way to pass the time as you stroll through one of the nation’s oldest forests, which has been preserved from deforestation since the Middle Ages, and stretches from the old city center to the edge of the suburb of Wassenaar.
Huis ten Bosch, a palace encircled by a moat and constructed in 1646 as a royal country home, is the park’s most notable feature. The palace, which hosted the first ever international peace conference in 1899, is now the residence of King Willem-Alexander. The building may be seen well from several locations across the park, despite not being accessible to the general public.
Noordeinde Palace is another palace whose beautiful external views make it worth exploring. The Noordeinde Palace Gardens (entrance is free), which also offers a beautiful view of the Royal Stables, where the horses that pull the Royal Coaches are kept, offers the best views.
Stop At The Peace Palace
Andrew Carnegie, a philanthropist, contributed significantly to the cost of the renowned Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), an impressive brick structure built between 1907 and 1913. Its steeply pitched roof and 80-meter-high tower are flanked on its long, arched façade, which was constructed in a combination of Gothic and Neoclassical styles.
Peace Palace has a rich interior design that was contributed by many nations, including marble from Italy, wood paneling from Brazil and the USA, and ornamental iron railings from Germany. It is home to the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Academy of International Law, and a library of international law. On the weekends, tours are led through the palace and the magnificent gardens. Reservations may be made at the visitor center (see the official website below).
Visit Kunstmuseum Den Haag
The stunning Kunstmuseum Den Haag, or Municipal Museum, is a must-see and is located in the contemporary residential area of Duinoord, a garden suburb with homes constructed in style inspired by historic Dutch almshouses (hofjes).
The structure, sometimes referred to as Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, was created in 1935 by HP Berlage. Numerous items with ties to the town’s past are on show at the museum. Additionally, it has remarkable collections of conventional and electronic musical instruments, applied and decorative art from the 19th and 20th centuries, and furniture, silver, and ceramics. A section on modern art that features various pieces by Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee is noteworthy. For information about specific temporary exhibits and seminars, visit the museum’s website.
See The Dream Cars At The Louwman Museum
The world’s oldest collection of automobiles, which currently numbers more than 200 models from various countries, is on display at the Louwman Museum. The 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car, the first motor vehicle to receive a patent, and the earliest model in the collection, is propelled by a single cylinder.
Rarities like the 1887 De Dion-Bouton Trepardoux Steam Quadricycle, an 1895 Buffum Four Cylinder Stanhope, and the 1897 Daimler 6-HP Twin-Cylinder Six-Seat Brake are among other early types that are still in use today. Vehicles from all over the world are represented, and the newest include electric and hybrid models, as well as race automobiles. Some of the more odd types include the 1910 Brooke Swan Car, a 1932 Curtiss Aerocar Land Yacht, and the 1951 Taruffi Italcorsa/TARF II.
Madurodam Will Make You Feel Enormous
Madurodam in Den Haag is a very distinctive destination that visitors of all ages will appreciate. Visitors can roam among the many sections, each meticulously designed to replicate the country’s most recognizable landmarks. The park is well renowned for its large miniatures representing life in the Netherlands on a 1:25 scale.
Visitors to the miniature Amsterdam may actually look into the Rijksmuseum’s windows and view tiny replicas of the artwork mounted on the walls. Visitors can admire famous buildings like The Peace Palace, the De Volharding building, Anne Frank’s house, and St. John’s Cathedral as they stroll among the models like giants in Den Haag’s Madurodam.
Experiencing the interactive displays showcasing wind energy and Holland’s windmills is among the location’s other entertaining activities. Toddlers will appreciate the playgrounds, while older children will like the flight exploration center in Den Haag’s Madurodam. There are also several accessories ideal for photo opportunities, such as a gigantic clog or a field of tulips. The Fantasitron, where you can receive a 3D scan of yourself and use it to make a miniature version of yourself, is the place with the most unusual experiences.
Visit Madurodam at night when the streets and buildings are lit up for a unique experience; this is particularly wonderful during the Christmas season.
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