Fun things to do in The Hague

Where can you see water flowing uphill? Where do birds transmogrify into fish and drawings of reptiles crawl right off the page, over the objects on the artist's desk and back onto the paper again? Where does the shadow of a dog turn into a dog in its own right? And where can a mother make herself smaller than her own seven-year-old child? All these wonders can be witnessed at Escher in Het Paleis on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. This new centre houses a huge collection of prints and drawings by the world-famous Dutch artist M. C. Escher, plus fascinating explanatory programmes and a host of old family photos, drawings and design sketches that help to bring Escher's work even more vividly to life.

The Artist
Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) was born in Leeuwarden. In 1919, he enrolled at the then renowned Haarlem School of Architecture and Ornamental Design. Influenced by his tutor Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, himself a great graphic artist, Escher soon started to make lino prints and woodcuts. After his training, he embarked on the traditional artistic grand tour of Italy and Spain. There, he made landscape and architectural drawings from which he would continue to draw inspiration all his life. During trips to Spain, he visited Granada and Córdoba, where he was fascinated by the Moorish buildings and mosaics.



Famous works
Escher in Het Paleis is certainly the place to see the originals of famous works like Belvédère, Ascending and Descending, Day and Night and parts of the Metamorphosis series. But don't miss the other interesting exhibits, like the less well-known bookplates, wrapping paper designs for major stores, a New Years greeting from friends and early self-portraits.

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Without doubt, the most striking building on Binnenhof is the Knights' Hall, built in the 13th and 14th centuries as the castle for the Earls of Holland. The Main Hall, which has been called the Knights' Hall since the 19th century, dates from the second half of the 13th century. The famous wooden covering was demolished in 1861, however, less than forty years later it was replaced by an exact copy. Since 1904 the Knights' Hall has been the setting for the reading of the Queen's speech at the annual opening of Parliament. In her speech, the Queen announces the government's plans for the coming year to the parliament and to the Dutch people.

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From the Middle Ages The Hague has consisted of two parts, each with a character all of its own: the earl's Court with the prosperous areas around Hofvijver and Lange Voorhout, and the village of Die Haeghe, around the Grote Kerk and the town hall, where the commoners lived. The town hall, built on the cellars of the medieval Hof van Brederode, is one of the first examples of the Renaissance in the north of Holland. The richly decorated facade features the maxim: 'Ne Jupiter Quidem Omnibus' - even Jupiter cannot please everyone. The sculptures above the middle represent Justice and Caution, with the stork of The Hague and a Latin maxim which, freely translated, means 'one man's fault is another man's lesson'. The building was restored between 1968 and 1975 and a council chamber was added. These days the former town hall is only used for marrying people.

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Noordeinde Palace has always been the residence of the reigning Stadtholder or monarch. The first inhabitant was Louise de Coligny, the last wife of William the Silent. In the 17th century, Frederik Hendrik and Amalia van Solms had the Huis ten Bosch Palace built. Both palaces were in use until the beginning of the French rule, but from that time until World War II only Noordeinde Palace was used as a residence. During World War II Queen Wilhelmina lived in England. The palace was slightly damaged during the war.

After Queen Wilhelmina's return she lived in a number of villas in Nieuwe Parklaan. Her daughter, Queen Juliana, never lived in Noordeinde Palace. Until 1977 the palace housed the Institute of Social Studies, but after drastic renovations Queen Beatrix chose to use this palace as her place of work in 1984. Left of Noordeinde Palace is number 66, the house where Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta lived before estate 'De Horsten' became their residence.

Het Binnenhof, buildings of Parliament, has always been the centre of politics in the Netherlands. The buildings themselves well worth seeing, but it was here that the most important events in Dutch history took place.

This museum goes through the life of M.C. Escher through his artwork. It is located in the Lange Voorhout Palace, a mansion from the 1700's. As a big fan of Escher's it was great to get some context into his work. Prints as well as actual cutouts of his work are displayed. There is a lot to see here, so give yourself at least 1 1/2 hours. If you are a fan, I'd plan some more time. The tour completes with a 3D virtual reality tour into Escher's artwork. I would say that this is one of the highlights of The Hague.

The Grenadierspoort or Grenadier's Gate,
was built in 1634, and is situated diagonally
opposite the Mauritshuis, and is the main
entrance to the Binnenhof.

The Ministry of Public Affairs, address at
Binnenhof 18-19, has its offices in the
Binnenhof, along the Hofvijver (Court Pond)
behind Grenadiers's Gate on the right.
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A large part of this section, in Neo-Renaissance style, dates from 1913
but some parts are older, such as the famous Treveszaal (Treves Hall),
dating from 1697 in Louis XIV style and the octagonal, 15th century turret
at the corner of the Hofvijver, where the Prime Minister has his office.

This is anothr "must to see"
when visiting in Den Haag.
We highly recommend that
you not miss it.

The Binnenhof is a collection
of very old historical buildings
in the Hague that has survived
over many centuries.
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It has been the location of meetings of the Staten Generaal,
the Dutch Parliament since 1446, and has been the centre of
Dutch politics for centuries.

The grounds on which the Binnenhof now stands was purchased
by Count Floris IV of Holland in 1229, where he built his mansion.
More buildings were constructed around the court, several of which
are well known in their own right, such as the Ridderzaal, the great
hall or Knights Hall, where the queen holds her annual speech.

One of the towers, simply known as het Torentje, the small tower,
has been the working space of the Prime minister of the Netherlands
since 1982.

This is also the site where statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
was executed in 1619.

This complex housed the local government as early as the 15th century.
In 1585, it became the seat of the States General of the Republic of the
Seven United Netherlands ......