Koninklijke Stallen (Royal Stables), Hague
The Royal Stables (Koninklijke Stallen) is a versatile structure located next to the Noordeinde Palace and the Palace Garden. Designed by Dutch architect Hugo Pieter Vogel, this four-wing complex showcases an eclectic Renaissance style. It encloses a rectangular courtyard covered with paving stones and was constructed between 1876 and 1879, occupying part of the Palace Garden's space.
The building is strategically set slightly back from the main road to allow carriages to easily enter and exit. The central part of the façade is adorned with a semicircular pediment featuring the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Above this, there's an elevated roof culminating in a needle spire. The corner pavilions also have round pediments, each adorned with a horse head medallion.
Inside the Royal Stables, you'll find horses and carriages belonging to the royal family, including the famous Golden Coach, which has been housed here since 1898. The facility also stores court cars and the Irish half-breed Wexy, a horse owned by the future King William II, who was wounded during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and preserved through taxidermy.
During the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, there were 52 horses in the stables. In the summer of that year, 34 horses were sold to prevent their confiscation by German occupying forces. The proceeds from these sales were used to feed the remaining horses and maintain the stables during the war years.
The old palace stables are currently not being used by the royal family, as they are currently residing at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. These stables have been converted into a museum or event space, where visitors can see exhibitions showcasing the former stables and transportation used by the royal family.
The building is strategically set slightly back from the main road to allow carriages to easily enter and exit. The central part of the façade is adorned with a semicircular pediment featuring the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Above this, there's an elevated roof culminating in a needle spire. The corner pavilions also have round pediments, each adorned with a horse head medallion.
Inside the Royal Stables, you'll find horses and carriages belonging to the royal family, including the famous Golden Coach, which has been housed here since 1898. The facility also stores court cars and the Irish half-breed Wexy, a horse owned by the future King William II, who was wounded during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and preserved through taxidermy.
During the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, there were 52 horses in the stables. In the summer of that year, 34 horses were sold to prevent their confiscation by German occupying forces. The proceeds from these sales were used to feed the remaining horses and maintain the stables during the war years.
The old palace stables are currently not being used by the royal family, as they are currently residing at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. These stables have been converted into a museum or event space, where visitors can see exhibitions showcasing the former stables and transportation used by the royal family.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Koninklijke Stallen (Royal Stables) on Map
Sight Name: Koninklijke Stallen (Royal Stables)
Sight Location: Hague, Netherlands (See walking tours in Hague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Hague, Netherlands (See walking tours in Hague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Hague, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Hague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Hague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
The Hague Introduction Walking Tour
While the official capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, The Hague is the country's de facto capital and administrative center.
Little is known about the origin of The Hague as such. What is certain is that it was founded by one of the last counts of the House of Holland, Floris IV, who already owned two residences in the area, but had his eye set on a waterfront property near the pond... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Little is known about the origin of The Hague as such. What is certain is that it was founded by one of the last counts of the House of Holland, Floris IV, who already owned two residences in the area, but had his eye set on a waterfront property near the pond... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Hague's Classic Architectural Jewels
As the third largest metropolis in the Netherlands, The Hague has plenty to offer architecturally discerning travelers. The city is a living proof of a harmonious coexistence between a modern, easy on the eye skyline and a steeped in history downtown. Owing to its fascinating (political) past, The Hague has a plethora of historic buildings associated with worship, governance, royalty and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Scheveningen Walking Tour
Originally an independent fishing village, today Scheveningen is one of The Hague's eight districts. With its long beaches loved by both the young and old in all seasons, Scheveningen gets particularly crowded in summer.
Modern as it is, this seaside resort, the most popular in Holland, boasts a great deal of history – stretching all the way back to 1280 – with the locals still... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Modern as it is, this seaside resort, the most popular in Holland, boasts a great deal of history – stretching all the way back to 1280 – with the locals still... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles