Hague's Classic Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Hague

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 international legal affairs.

A good number of them date back as far as the feudal period, and, in keeping with the Dutch tradition, are set by the river or canal, which also adds to their beauty. In The Hague, there are buildings that broke new ground in Dutch history – some for their social and political context, others for their visual aesthetics or royal status.

Whether you are an art lover, architecture buff or simply fascinated by The Hague’s role as an international judicial center, you will find plenty of interesting buildings, be it medieval churches or royal palaces, on any given day out there. Here are a few fascinating ones:

Ridderzaal (Knight's Hall) – used mainly for festive gettogethers by the Counts of Holland; once a year, on Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day), the Dutch Sovereign rides to the Hall in the Golden Coach to deliver a throne speech.

Mennonite Church – one of the few Neo-Romanesque churches in The Hague.

Paleis Noordeinde (Noordeinde Palace) – the headquarters of King Willem-Alexander; one of the three palaces used by the Dutch Royal Family.

Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) – seat of many legal organizations, including the International Court of Justice, aka the World Court.

If you wish to discover the distinctive streetscape of The Hague and explore some of the most impressive, centuries-old buildings that make up the city's fabric in more detail, embark on this self-guided journey!