Den Haag
The Hague (in Dutch Den Haag) is with half a million inhabitants the 3rd largest town of the Netherlands. Since the foundation of the republic in 1579, The Hague has been the political center of the Netherlands.
The Parliament is located near an almost 800 years old castle, the so called Hall of Knights, the place where the king reads out the plans of the government for coming year. The king’s palace is just a ten minutes walk from the Hall.
The Hague is not only a place of politics, but also of law. From the many institutions on International Law, the one best known world wide, certainly is the International Court of Justice, also known as The Hague Tribunal and the Peace Palace.
For art lovers: the scene is as rich as in Amsterdam. Please have a look at the tour “city of art”.
A former village and nowadays one of the many neighborhoods of The Hague, is Scheveningen. Here you will find the Grand Hotel Kurhaus and many restaurants facing the North sea.
Tours
The Hague 1
Politics and government.
A tour along the most characteristic buildings of the national government and along the work palace of the king.
Topics: political history of the Netherlands, tasks and rights of the Lower and Upper House, the monarchy, the history and architecture of the buildings we come along.
Duration 1.30 hour
The Hague 2
Institutions of International law
In this tour we will get familiar with the activities of the International Criminal Court (war crimes), the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons and the International Court of Justice.
Duration 1.30 hour
Website International Court of Justice
Website ICC
Website OPCW
The Hague 3 (only available as on location tour)
city of art
The elegant Mauritshuis is home to the Girl with the Pearl Earring, the Goldfinch and many other works from the Dutch Masters of the 17th century.
Panorama Mesdag is centered around the masterpiece of the 19th century painter Mesdag. The concentric painting of 120 meter in circumference makes you feel like standing on a dune, watching the Scheveningen beach.
Kunstmuseum is the proud owner of the world’s largest collection of works from the painter Pieter Mondriaan.
The Escher Museum, located in a 18th century former palace, is centered around the magic drawings of Escher.
The museums mentioned above are all located in the same area. This makes it possible to visit various of them on the same day. How many and which? That is up to you!
Duration, 2 to 8 hours
Website Mauritshuis
Website Panorama Mesdag
Website Kunstmuseum
Website Escher Museum