Oude Stadhuis (Old City Hall), Hague

Old City Hall dates to 1565 and was constructed as the city’s town hall during a period when The Hague was expanding as an administrative center. In the 16th century, the Italian writer Lodovico Guicciardini described The Hague as “the biggest village in Europe”, noting its lack of defensive walls. Against that backdrop, the scale and form of the city hall would have stood out as a symbol of civic organization.

The building is designed in the Renaissance style and is often compared to the city hall of Antwerp. Its façade features decorative stonework and a structured, symmetrical composition. Statues created before 1742 by sculptor Jan Baptist Xavery represent allegorical figures such as Faith, Hope, Charity, Strength, and Justice, reinforcing the civic ideals associated with the building.

Inside, the Old City Hall originally housed municipal offices, council chambers, and administrative spaces. Over time, the interior was modified and restored, with decorative elements updated across different periods. Works associated with the Confrerie Pictura, a 17th-century artists’ society, are also connected to the building.

Today, the building is no longer the main administrative center, as these functions have moved to the modern city hall. It is now primarily used for civil ceremonies, including weddings. For visitors, the Old City Hall provides a clear link between the historic market area and the city’s civic past.