The Hague

 

While we were in Amsterdam in June we took the train one day and went to The Hague. We had been once before but this time we had a specific purpose, namely to visit the revamped Maurithuis museum.

 

 

 



we reached this main street after a two-minute walk from the station

 

I liked the sculpture on top of this building - very unusual

 



 

We reached the Maurithuis in no time

 

 

After visiting the museum we had lunch in one of the outdoor cafes in this large, spacious square

 

the square is overlooked by these modernist buildings.

 

Next to the Maurithuis is this arch which is the entrance to the Binnenhof, a complex of buildings next to the Hofvijver lake. It houses the meeting place of both houses of the States General of the Netherlands, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister.

 

 

 

 

lots of space, very few people, and lots of security - something we have not seen in Holland before

 

 

gorgeous tower

 

 

 

 

Built primarily in the 13th century, the Gothic castle originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland and became the political centre of the Dutch Republic in 1584. It is counted among the top 100 Dutch heritage sites. The Binnenhof is the oldest House of Parliament in the world still in use.

 

 



 

 

 

 

The Ridderzaal, the Hall of Knights, which is used for the state opening of Parliament.

 

Wonderful vaulted ceiling

Through another arch, and we moved on to the Buitenhof, another square. This square originated in the 13th century during the construction of the Binnenhof. It was filled with houses and stables and at one point, it even had a zoo.

Right outside the Buitenhof is this intriguing sculpture - we could not find out anything about it

 

 

 



Hofvijver lake

 

We then retraced our steps



 

 

 

 

On our way to the station we came upon this building

 

 

 

 

 



and had to go in to have a look at the passage

 

 

 



 

A wonderful Art Nouveau building which houses a restaurant was near the station.


And then it was time to go back to Amsterdam. We boarded the train which was quite crowded this time as it was the rush hour. We chatted quietly, pointing things out and talking about the day we'd had. At one point the passenger behind us, got out of his seat came up to us, and indicated a sign that we had failed to notice. This was a silent train: not a quiet train like you get in the UK where no mobile phones etc. are allowed, but a silent train - no talking allowed whatsoever. We were mortified for having failed to see the sign, but how civilised is that? I wish we had those in the U.K.