In the western part of the Netherlands there is an ancient city, which is often mistakenly considered the capital of the country - The Hague. Based settlement was back in 1230, when after the construction of the castle here gradually formed a small town. Throughout its history, the city of The Hague has several times become the administrative center of the state, until Amsterdam was finally proclaimed capital. By the way, the government and the residence of the queen are still here. They love to come here and curious tourists who want to get acquainted with a lot of the most interesting sights of The Hague in the Netherlands. That's about them will be discussed.
Binnenhof in The Hague
Most probably, the main attraction of the city is considered to be the Binnenhof - the same palace complex built in the 13th century, from which the history of the city began. For many centuries, Binnenhof was the center of the political life of the country. Even now here is the Parliament of the Netherlands. The complex is located in a picturesque area: on an island in Lake Waver. This building is in the Gothic style of red-brown brick with a triangular facade and two towers. Decorate Binnenhof beautiful stained glass. Among the things that look in The Hague is the Knight's Hall of Binnenhof, founded in the second half of the 13th century. Fortunately, the entrance to the building is free.
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The Peace Palace in The Hague
This structure was built in the early 20th century in the tradition of Flemish architecture made of materials such as red brick, sandstone, granite. The facade part of the building is decorated with sculptures reflecting the theme of justice. The interior of the palace is rich in mosaics, tapestries, stained glass windows. Now the Peace Palace is the location of the institutions of international justice (the international court of the United Nations, the chamber of the arbitration court, etc.)
Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague
Not far from Binnenhof is the Mauritshuis Museum. This is an art gallery where visitors can see with their own eyes masterpieces of recognized Dutch masters - "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer, "Andromeda" by Rembrandt, "The Bull" by Paulus Potter and many others. The very building of the museum was painted in the middle of the 17th century in classical style.
Museum of Torture in The Hague
As in many other European countries, there is a Museum of Torture in the Netherlands, in The Hague. This eerie place is in the very center of the city on the Bau-tenhof Square. Previously, it was a prison built in the 13th century. The museum presents 60 instruments of torture, real and copies, which were used during interrogation in medieval times.
Escher Museum in The Hague
Among interesting, but not so eccentric, museums of The Hague is the Escher Museum, which was opened in 2002. The building was formerly inhabited by Queen Emma. Now it is an exhibition of the works of the Dutch graphic artist Maurets Cornelis Escher, who created his unusual engravings on metal and wood.
Mariurodam Park in The Hague
In the majority of cases, tourists who visit the city, direct their feet to one of the famous sights of The Hague - the park Mariurodam, or "Little Holland". This is a miniature exposition in the open air, which represents typical Dutch buildings at a scale of 1:25. Among them, for example, you can name the bridge Manger Brug, the Portuguese synagogue, the church Westerkerk, the Palace of Peace, the Netherlands Architectural Institute and others.
Monument to Stalin in The Hague
In the city there is a memorial composition dedicated to the Soviet politician Joseph Stalin. The bust of the generalissimo is placed in the telephone booth. The monument was opened in the early 90s of the 20th century.
