Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of The Hague - ideas on city exploration routes
It’s hard to imagine The Hague, and Netherlands in general, without its famous architectural landmarks. Peace Palace, Huis ten Bosch, Nieuwe Kerk, Noordeinde Palace, Den Haag HS, Kurhaus of Scheveningen, and Pier on the beach of Scheveningen have shaped the historical and architectural look of The Hague. Let’s take a closer look at these landmarks from an unusual perspective – simply fly over the main sights! The supporting video includes a virtual tour around the above mentioned architectural landmarks of The Hague in HD format. Below, we will add the most exciting historical facts regarding every place of interest. The overview map of all iconic landmarks of The Hague can be found at the bottom of the webpage.
Peace Palace, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» 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.
Huis ten Bosch, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» In the parking area, there is the palace of the ruling dynasty. Many royals lived here. » Huis ten Bosch was built in the middle of the 17th century (in 1645) for the Dutch ruler, Frederick of Orange. When he died, the building became an unusual memorial upon the order of his wife.
» The Orange Hall is decorated with canvasses depicting the life of the state official. The biggest painting depicts the Prince’s triumphal victory in The Hague.
» Huis ten Bosch has changed many masters for centuries. It had belonged to the Prussian King, the brother of Napoleon I, until the ownership passed to royal heirs of the Dutch throne.
» During the Second World War, the Germans tried to destroy the palace in retaliation for the Queen’s movement from the country occupied by the enemy to England. The Nazis looted the residence. It was decided to dig anti-tank trenches in its territory but this idea failed.
» The large-scale reconstruction was started after the war and completed in 1981.
» The name of the palace and the parking area means “forest hut”.
» Non-authorized people are not allowed to the territory.
Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» 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.
Noordeinde Palace, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» 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.
Den Haag HS, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» There are two railway stations in the city territory. It is the only community in the country with such number of stations. » The central object is a modern arrival and departure point. All the interchange stations are located under a single tent.
» You can enter the railway platform in three ways: by getting up the stairs, by the lift, and by the escalator. To catch the suburban train, you need to go down to the ground floor.
» Den Haag HS is the Dutch railway station. It was put into operation in 1843. The terminal is located a little further, on the main route “Amsterdam - Rotterdam”.
» The attractive building was constructed in the late 19th century. It is designed in the Neo-Renaissance style.
» When it was updated a few years after, there was a fire. The original historical exterior of the house was almost restored.
» There are warehouses and loading docks not far from the railway station.
» You can use Wi-Fi in all the Dutch trains.
» The railway station is a 15-minute walk from the central district.
» The paved picture in passages explains how to reach the driveway for vehicles, the sidewalk, and the cycle track.
Kurhaus of Scheveningen, The Hague
Location on the map: Facts:
» The upscale hotel is located at the local resort, just a five-minute walk from the beach. » The building was constructed by famous German architects in 1885. The Kurhaus includes a concert stage and a hotel with 120 rooms.
» The construction was destroyed by fire in 1887. It needed to be restored.
» The ceiling was painted by Van Hoeck, a famous artist from Brussels.
» Kings and heads of state vacationed here when the hotel complex was being developed. In 1964, Rolling Stones gave a concert at the stage.
» In 1969, the hotel fell into decline. It was decided to demolish the Kurhaus. When the building was considered as a city attraction in 1975, it was restored. Princess Beatrix visited the opening ceremony.
» If the weather is good, visitors can have dinner on the outdoor terrace. There is a winter garden. Visitors can also visit a spa and an outdoor swimming pool. The Kurhaus is five-star. The impressive facade looks like a royal palace.
» On the beach of Scheveningen, 10 thousand people take a dip here on 1 January 1913.
» The picturesque seascape was painted by young Van Gogh.
Pier on the beach of Scheveningen, The Hague
Facts: » The district of the coast of Scheveningen deserves the title of the best resort in the Netherlands.
» The pier located here bears the same name. The multilevel construction is located in the city center.
» The first pier was constructed in 1901. It was destroyed during artillery attacks during the Second World War, so it was used by German soldiers as a store for shells.
» The 380-meter pier started to be constructed in 1959.
» It has two levels. The lower level is glass. The upper one is outdoor.
» People love walking and relaxing here. The separate area is occupied by a shopping mall. There are a lot of boutiques, food outlets, and a casino. Those who care for their health and visit a gym can visit a swimming pool with seawater. At the pier, there is a big wheel. There is an air conditioner in capsules. True daredevils jump from a 65-meter rig. For safety, participants jump with a long rubber cable.
» One part of the pier extends to the sea.
» It is used all year round. The rooms are heated during the cold season.
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