City landmarks, The Hague

I think, therefore I am became a beloved quote, world-famous by René Descartes, one of the best qualified modern world-philosophers. So it's quite remarkable his statue got placed in a district not that high qualified in The Hague, named Newtonplein. After the neighbourhood got renewed the place looks a lot more better and, even popular Hiphop festivals and Block parties are organized. So Descartes still may effect his world-famous thoughts from this nice little square Newtonplein ...

It's said that Benedict Spinoza derived his method from Descartes and Spinoza wrote a noted exposition of Descartes' thought. According to Descartes, a human being is a union of mind and body and, imagination is what unified body and mind, “Cogito, ergo sum” (Latin: “I think, therefore I am”).
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Actually well-known in Amsterdam, from the Golden Centuries (beginning at around 1600), the "drawbridges" can be found all over the Netherlands, so in The Hague too. Most people do not know The Hague used to be a town full of canals.

Although some look in real bad condition you may find some very nice drawbridges, ... photogenic, romantic and in good shape! This one is just around the corner of my home appartment (yep, the penthouse ... ), where the canalboats pass by, too (street name is Bierkade).

City Hall, south of the main train station, east of the main shopping street, is a wonderful glass structure nicknamed “The Ice Palace”. It reminds me that in the old town hall it was rumored that they had painted a yellow line down the middle of the hall as an efficiency measure. The line helped prevent the employees who were coming in late from bumping into those who were leaving early and that helped make them more efficient. I wonder if they brought the line over to the new building?

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The Westbroekpark Rosarium is one of the prettiest parks in a city renowned for them. It's an oasis of greenery filled with fragrant flowers of all hues so do stop and smell the roses.

The park is situated between the city and the beach and I recommend a visit during the summer time.

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The place where Queen Beatrix lives, is not that easy to watch. The place is well-protected and it is forbidden to take any pictures of the place. All around are camera's and when you stop for a moment too long, a police officer of the security will come to you immediately. So take care!

In winter time you'll get the best chance to approach the palace which name is Huis Ten Bosch, located at the Bezuidenhoutse Weg. The oldest part of the Huis Ten Bosch dates from mid-17th century. It is built as a summer residence for Prince Frederik Hendrik in the Hague Woods, where is the romantic pond which got well-known. Here the sun of Queen Beatric Prins Willem Alexander asked Maxima to marry him ...

See here a picture during a walk in the Hague Woods. Have a good look, and you'll see the Huis Ten Bosch with the flag on top (that is the sign the Queen is at home). I assure you of the fact I shivered ... not from cold, but from the idea the security could be here in one second ...

Entering the Central Station of The Hague from side, early in the morning, you'll catch this picture. See the Atrium, a hotspot of The Hagues Skyline.

You may get the Dutch Yellow Train right away, without waiting and queue up for a ticket. Could be easy when in a rush, in peak hour ... :o)))

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The splendid building of Gymnasium Haganum got famous for its Neo-Renaissance style, the great entrance, and the Latin quote, on both sites accompanied by the 2 goddesses above the gateway.

It is said she is the Greek Goddess Pallas Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, Technical Construction and Handicraft. She has a feather (to write) in her hand (right one) and the script (left one), to be seen on close-ups. So glad I discovered these beautiful statues, of which The Hague is very proud of ... see >>>

PUBLIC WOMEN - THE HAGUE
PUBLIC WOMEN - THE HAGUE 1

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When driving from highway A12 out of Utrecht (or A5 out of Amsterdam) you'll see the new The Hague skyline and maybe it is not that famous yet, though to me it is the way home. Connection is good, only in the morning (round about 08.00 hrd) and afternoon (round about 17.00 hrs) there is traffic congestion (so avoid it when possible).

In a quite short time The Hague changed its look and the modern governmental city with its ancient name of 's-Gravenhage became a popular beach resort with a royal touch. Hope you feel welcome at The Hague and will enjoy your stay ...