Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, Hague (must see)

Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery was constructed between 1633 and 1644 and designed by architects Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post in the Dutch Classical style as a residence for Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen, then governor of Dutch Brazil. After passing through private and governmental use, the building was acquired by the Dutch state in 1820 and opened in 1822 as a museum for the Royal Cabinet of Paintings.

The museum’s collection has its roots in the holdings of William V, Prince of Orange, whose Royal Picture Gallery formed the core of the institution. Today, the Mauritshuis holds nearly 800 paintings, focusing on Dutch and Flemish works from the 15th to 17th centuries. Among its most recognized pieces is Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. Other key works include The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, alongside paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Paulus Potter, and Rogier van der Weyden.

Inside, the museum retains the scale and character of a 17th-century residence. Rooms are arranged around a central hall and decorated with period details, including painted ceilings and silk wall coverings. In 2007, the museum expanded with an underground connection to a neighboring building, adding exhibition and visitor facilities without altering the historic structure above ground. For visitors, the Mauritshuis offers a focused introduction to Dutch Golden Age painting within a short walking distance of major landmarks.