Culture of The Hague. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

» The quadrangle building is built of granite, light quarry sandstone, and red brick.
»  There is a courtyard with a fountain bowl created in Copenhagen. There is also a garden designed like English landscapes.
»  In the Peace Palace, legal proceedings and arbitration court hearings take place. This place is an indisputable institution of justice incorruptibility.
»  Many countries contributed to the construction.
»  When the First Peaceful Assembly on the stability on the planet was organized, the initiator of the foundation of the public institution where court hearings would be held was the Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
»  Countries participating in the disarmament plan provided financial assistance to the interior.
»  Originally, the new building was sponsored by A. Carnegie, a big steel manufacturer. The French manufacturer developed a project and combined Roman and Flemish Gothic styles in the building exterior.
»  The building is faced with red-brick masonry. At the side, there is an 80-meter tower with a clock gifted by Norway and Sweden.

» The Church of Saint Jacob, or the Great Church, is an old city construction.
»  It was mentioned as a stone building in the chronicles of the 13th century.
»  Traditionally, the baptism started in the period of the bathing of the royals still continues for the locals.
»  In the font, the Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander was baptized.
»  It is not known when exactly the religious building was built. The wooden church had already existed there in the 13th century.
»  At one time, the House of God welcomed Catholic worshipers. Then, St. Jacob Church became Protestant.
»  Over the years of its existence, the shrine was rebuilt and restored.
»  The interior impresses with stained glass windows. Two of them date back to the 16th century.
»  The preacher’s oak desk has been serving as a bishop’s seat since 1550. The pedestal of the seat depicts the beast with goat’s horns.
»  Wall panels are decorated with arms of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
»  In the hall, there are several organs.
»  The clock hexagonal belfry constructed in the early 15th century is 92 m high.

» In the city, there was the Big Church, as the citizens called it.
»  When the confrontation between Protestants and Catholics resulted in the victory of the Catholic Community and the Netherlands became independent, it was decided to build the new House of God. It was named “Nieuwe Kerk”, which means “New Church”.
»  The exterior should have matched rites of a new religion.
»  The locals asked the city council for building the church. The religious building started to be constructed near the river channel in 1649. The construction lasted 17 years.
»  According to the architect’s plan, the exterior of the building combines Renaissance and classic architectural styles.
»  In the room, there is an organ made in 1702.
»  In 1969, it was necessary to reconstruct the building to preserve its exterior and inner rooms. After the reconstruction, the church has been used as a concert hall.
»  In the church cemetery, there is the grave of the Dutch philosopher Spinoza. He came to The Hague to hide from the Jewish community, with which he argued about religious justifications.

» The House of God is famous for the fact that it was visited by many eminent people. The Queen attended some services. In 1625, Prince Frederic Henry’s wedding took place. In the territory of the church, there is the grave of Fahrenheit, the inventor of the thermometer. The lead sarcophagus with embalmed relics of the monastery founder has been preserved.
»  The church was built in 1397. The religious complex belonged to the Dominican Order.
»  Over the years of its existence, the Catholic Church had become Protestant and reconstructed many times. Long windows have been preserved to this day.
»  The vaulted doorway is 20 m long. The ceiling is almost 12 m high.
»  Monks had lived here until 1574. In 1588, the cavalry regiment occupied the building. Domes and galleries were removed and weapons were molded of them. Ammunition was kept here. One of the shells exploded once. The walls collapsed. Only one wall was undamaged. The monastery served as a hospital.
»  Gradually, the construction had fallen into disrepair. It was decided to demolish the building but worshipers stood up for it.
»  Today, the Kloosterkerk is the house for the Protestant community.

» The royal family set its heart on one of the four palaces of its official residence. It is located in the city center.
»  The Noordeinde Palace was built as a modest farmhouse. It is evidenced by surviving stone walls.
»  Frederick of Orange, the Emperor’s grandson, decided to extend and complete the building. The best Dutch architects of that period were invited. They added additional premises to the main building on both sides. The palace was lengthened and had the shape of the letter “H”. The new owner purchased several plots adjacent to the mansion.
»  Over the years of its existence, the building had belonged to different hosts.
»  In 1813, the house became the property of the state. The Paleis Noordeinde served as a winter refuge for the royal family.
»  When the flag with a blue cross on the orange background is raised above the roof, it means that the Queen is in the country.
»  The Dutch King started to hold business meetings in 2013.
»  There is no free access to the house. You can take excursions only in summer. It is allowed to walk in the park, observe the paddock and carriages, and drop in the archive.