Vredespaleis (Peace Palace), Hague

Vredespaleis (Peace Palace), Hague (must see)

The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is often called the seat of international law because it houses the International Court of Justice (which is the principal judicial body of the United Nations), the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law, and the extensive Peace Palace Library.

In addition to hosting these institutions, the Palace is also a regular venue for special events in international policy and law. The Palace officially opened on August 28, 1913, and was originally built to provide a symbolic home for the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a court created to end war which was created by treaty at the 1899 Hague Peace Conference.

The building is in the Neo-Renaissance style which was designed by French architect Louis M. Cordonnier. The palace initially has one big bell tower in front and one small one in the back.

The Palace is filled with many gifts of the different nations who attended the Second Hague Conference as a sign of their support. Among the gifts are a 3.2-tonne (3.1-long-ton; 3.5-short-ton) vase from Russia, doors from Belgium, marble from Italy, a fountain from Denmark, wall carpets from Japan, the clock for the clock tower from Switzerland, Persian rugs from Persia and wood from Indonesia and the United States of America.

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.

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Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) on Map

Sight Name: Vredespaleis (Peace Palace)
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

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.
Scheveningen Walking Tour

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
The Hague Introduction Walking Tour

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
Hague's Classic Architectural Jewels

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