- Where is the city of The Hague
- History of the Hague
- How to get to the Hague
- What to do in The Hague
- What to bring from The Hague
The Hague is a city that has become known all over the world due to the location of the Peace Palace, where the sessions of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations are held. Currently, the city is considered the main place of residence of representatives of the royal dynasty and is distinguished by its original architecture and is also famous for its distinctive culture.
The Hague and its many historical sites are popular with visitors who prefer to combine educational and urban tourism.
Where is the city of The Hague
According to geographic data, The Hague is located on the North Sea coast, in the western part of the Netherlands. Officially, the city has the status of a province of South Holland and is considered the third largest in the country. Near The Hague are cities such as Leiden, Delft, Rotterdam and Zoetermeer. The distance to Amsterdam is about 65 kilometers, which is convenient enough for tourists wishing to visit these two cities.
The coast of The Hague is famous for the beaches of Kijkjoin and Scheveningen, which play a significant role in the country's economy, as a port of international importance was built in one of them.
The Hague has 516,000 inhabitants and the number of tourists visiting the city is growing every year. In general, The Hague differs from other cities in the Netherlands in that you can see here wide cobbled streets, preserved buildings from different centuries and numerous areas with green spaces.
Geographically, the city is subdivided into 8 main districts, which consist of smaller parts. Despite the fact that The Hague is only 98 square kilometers, the city's infrastructure is well thought out and eclectic.
History of the Hague
The founding of the city dates back to 1230, when the Dutch Count Floris IV decided to build a castle. This event became the starting point for the further development and prosperity of the city. Until 1400, a significant number of palaces and residences of counts were built in The Hague, and by the middle of the 15th century the city's population had increased to 8,000 thousand.
According to historical records, the Hague in the 16th century housed such supreme government authorities as the States General and the Republic of the United Provinces. In the 17th century, under the leadership of Prince Maurits, a canal was built around the city, near which it was planned to create a fortress complex, but this idea was not implemented.
In 1806, The Hague received the official status of a city, after which several small settlements were annexed to its territory. In 1899, a famous conference was held in The Hague, which established the International Court of Arbitration, for which a separate building was specially erected.
At the beginning of the XXI century, the government of The Hague made every effort to expand the city's territory. As a result, the communities of Losduyen, Voorburg and Rijswijk became part of The Hague.
How to get to the Hague
There are several of the most popular ways to get to The Hague: by plane; by train; by bus; by car. Unfortunately, The Hague does not have an international airport, therefore, when planning a trip to this city, you should focus on the airports of Amsterdam or Rotterdam. From large cities of Russia to Amsterdam direct flights of various airlines offer tourists the best ticket options. In this case, you will spend about three to four hours on the road.
Rail links between The Hague and other cities are well developed. At Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag HS stations, many high-speed trains arrive daily from Amsterdam, Groningen and Utrecht, equipped with modern equipment for a comfortable journey. You can also get to The Hague by train from Paris, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Prague and Copenhagen.
If you are not satisfied with traveling to The Hague by train, then you can choose such an option as a bus. It is better to buy a ticket in advance via the Internet or using the electronic ticket office. Taking a bus at the bus station of any nearby city, you will be in The Hague in about 1.5 hours, depending on the distance.
As for a trip to The Hague with a rented car, you should remember that the cost of travel will increase significantly. However, you will have a unique opportunity to see the picturesque surroundings of the Netherlands and quickly reach your destination.
What to do in The Hague
Arriving in The Hague, you will not be bored, as the city has cozy parks, theaters, museums, historical buildings and beaches. Fans of educational tourism will love fascinating excursions to local museums showing thematic exhibitions. The list contains only a small part of the museums in The Hague: Madurodam; Muzeon; Municipal Museum; Mauritshuis; Escher Museum; Gevangenport Museum; Museum of Marine Sculptures.
For a detailed acquaintance with the classical architecture of the city, tourists visit the famous Binnenhof and Merzkenburg castles, the Grote Kerk Church, Peace Palace and Noordeinde Palace, which are considered examples of traditional architecture in the Netherlands.
In the evening, you can go to the Nederlands Dans Theater, which offers its guests unique dance shows with artists of all ages. Moreover, all performances are accompanied by lighting effects that make the performance more original.
Special attention should be paid to the embankment of The Hague with its sandy beaches, along which there are souvenir shops and various restaurants where delicious seafood is prepared according to traditional recipes. A walk along the North Sea coast will allow you to relax in a calm atmosphere and fully experience the flavor of this tourist area.
An interesting fact is that in the central part of The Hague, an original monument to JV Stalin was erected, which is a closed pavilion with glass walls and a pedestal of the leader of the people installed inside.
What to bring from The Hague
When leaving The Hague, be sure to check out the local souvenir shops. Collages, miniature clay figurines, postcards, magnets, notebooks, which depict such country symbols as a windmill, lion, tulips, etc., are an excellent present from the Netherlands.
A funny souvenir in the form of wooden shoes (klomps) is considered an integral part of the culture of The Hague. Klomps are sold in any store in the city, and in some villages in the Netherlands they are still used by peasants as everyday shoes.
Be sure to buy Delft porcelain from the city of Delft in The Hague. All the dishes are made in a single style, involving the application of exquisite blue-blue patterns on a white background. Outwardly, Delft porcelain resembles Russian Gzhel.
For football fans, sports souvenirs bought in The Hague, where the country's famous football club ADO Den Haag are based, are perfect. T-shirts, clothing, sports equipment - all this can be found in abundance on the shelves of most stores.
As far as food is concerned, in this matter it is important to know that not only gourmet delicacies, but also alcoholic beverages are sold at affordable prices in the supermarkets of The Hague.
