Binnenhof Palace
Located in the heart of The Hague
Description:
A unique architectural ensemble, not only the city center, but also the political center of the country. It is here that the States General (Parliament of the Netherlands) and the residence of the Prime Minister are located.
The history of Binnenhof began in 1230, when Count Floris IV of Holland acquired a piece of land on which the city of The Hague grew. His son Willem II built a hunting castle on this site in 1247, and under his grandson Floris V, Ridderzaal Castle was built under the project of architect Gerard van Leyden.
Since 1815, another building has been used as the seat of the States General. In 1992, the lower house moved into a modern building, also part of the Binnenhof complex. One of the towers is used as the working residence of the Prime Minister.
Ridderzaal's facade is still dominant in Binnenhof's ensemble. Ridderzaal is a Gothic-style building with a triangular facade and two towers at the edges. Above the entrance there is a large round window (“rose”), decorated with the coats of arms of the dynasties that ruled in the Netherlands.
To the center of Binnenhof lead two gates - Regency and Grenadier. In the courtyard of Binnenhof, attention is drawn to a church with two turrets and a forged fountain.