The Hague Attractions, Netherlands

Mauritshuis
The Korte Vijverberg leads to the Mauritshuis, a handsome mansion standing to the east of the Binnenhof, between the Hofvijver and the Plein. In 1631 the cabbage garden and oak wood adjoining the Binnenhof were sold to Johan Maurits van Nassau, former governor of Brazil, and Constantijn Huygens. Huygens, together with Jacob van Campen, then designed for Johan Maurits, following treatises by Italian architects, a monumental and elegant residence in strict classical style. The interior of the house, which was built between 1633 and 1634, was the work of Pieter Post, but it was completely destroyed by fire in 1704. Johan Maurits, an amateur of the arts who had brought back scholars and artists from Brazil, furnished his house with pictures and other objects relating to Brazil. During the 18th century the Mauritshuis was used for a time as an embassy and then as a military school, its cellars as a prison for traitors. Later the royal library was moved to the Mauritshuis, and in 1822 the royal picture gallery. The idea of the old term "cabinet of art", a small room containing valuable objects, curios and pictures, is still reflected in the Koninklijk Kabinet van Schilderijen, the Royal Cabinet of Pictures, in the Mauritshuis: the collection is small, but of the highest quality. During the French occupation 200 pictures were carried off to France, and only 120 of them were recovered in 1815. During the reign of William I, a great patron of art, the finest works purchased by the state came to The Hague - including Rembrandt's "Anatomy Lesson", Vermeer's "View of Delft", Jacob van Ruisdael's "View of Haarlem's and Rogier van der Weyden's "Lamentation", a masterpiece of medieval painting. The Mauritshuis and many of its pictures underwent extensive restoration between 1982 and 1987, and its floor space was increased by 700 sq.m/7500 sq.ft by an underground extension, not visible from outside, containing a library, a study room and a store. During this period the gallery made numerous new acquisitions, including works by Art de Gelder, Jan Brueghel, Pieter Lastman, Cornelis van Poelenburgh, Salomon van Ruysdael and Jan Sanders van Hemessen. A striking feature of the Mauritshuis is the way in which a renowned collection of pictures is integrated into a historic palace and old and new works are brought into confrontation with one another: thus in the staircase hall the dynamic new ceiling painting by Ger Lataster, "Icarus Atlanticus", contrasts with the historical portraits, and a portrait of Queen Beatrix by Andy Warhol hangs opposite a bust of Prince Johan Maurits van Nassau. This relatively small collection (to which there is an excellent illustrated guide) surpasses other galleries in the Netherlands by the high average level of its pictures. Among the early Dutch works Rogier van der Weyden's "Lamentation" is outstanding. The German school is represented, among other pictures, by three fine Holbeins. The Flemish artists represented include Rubens ("Portrait of Bishop Michiel Ophovius") and Antonie van Dyck.

Kasteel Duivenvoorde
Northeast of The Hague by way of Voorburg and Leidschendam we come to Voorschooten, a few kilometers beyond which a road (3km/2mi) goes off to Kasteel Duivenvoorde, a medieval castle which was restored in 1631 by Johan van Wassenaer. The original decoration and furnishings have been preserved (family portraits, Delft ware, Chinese and European porcelain, silver). The English-style park is open throughout the year.

Binnenhof
In the center of the older portion of The Hague is the Binnenhof, an irregular group of buildings, some old and some more recent, built around a central courtyard. About 1250 Count William II of Holland began the building of a castle which was completed by his son Floris V, who in 1291 made this his principal residence. From the time of Prince Maurice of Orange-Nassau the Binnenhof was the residence of the Stadholders. It now houses both chambers of the Dutch Parliament as well as a number of government departments. The rectangular complex of buildings has entrances at each end; there is a third doorway, the Grenadierspoort, half way along one side.
There is an information center at Binnenhof 8A. Conducted tours of the Knights' Hall and Parliament can be arranged; they should be booked in advance by telephone.

Grote Kerk or St Jacobskerk
To the west of the Town Hall, in Kerkplein, is the Grote Kerk or St Jacobskerk. The oldest part of this Gothic hall-church (14th C.) was badly damaged by fire in 1539. The 100m/330ft high tower, originally built in 1420, is unique in the Netherlands in its hexagonal form. Originally used for military purposes as a lookout tower, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style after a fire. A neo-Gothic spire was added in 1861, but this, popularly known to the people of The Hague as the "nightcap", was removed during restoration work in 1951. The carillon disappeared in 1941 during the German occupation. Since the largest bell, known as "Jhezus", was too big to fit into the tower it was kept in the church, where it can still be seen. In 1959 a new carillon - one of the largest in the Netherlands, with 51 bells - was installed. There are magnificent views from the top of the tower.
 

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