Description of the attraction
Binnenhof (Dutch "courtyard") - a complex of buildings in the center of The Hague. Now it houses the parliament and government of the Netherlands.
It is impossible to determine the exact date of the founding of Binnenhof, it is only known that the citadel existed here already in 1230, and the founder of Binnenhof and The Hague, Count Floris IV of Holland, acquired these lands in 1229. The construction and fortification of the castle was mainly carried out by his son Wilhelm II, and under Floris V in 1248-1260 the famous Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall) was built. A chapel and a Knights' house were also built - a guest house for visiting knights. Ridderzaal is a Gothic building with a triangular façade and two towers. The facade is decorated with a round stained glass window - "rose". The huge inner hall - 40 x 20 meters - was built as a dance hall. Since the 16th century, when the Binnerhof became the seat of the States General (Parliament of the Netherlands), the hall has been used for ceremonial meetings and other events. Here the reigning monarch reads out his annual throne messages to parliament, government and people.
In 1806-1810, when the Netherlands was under French occupation, the seat of the government was moved to Amsterdam, and Binnenhof was offered to be demolished as unnecessary. After the restoration of independence, the government returned to Binnenhof, but in 1848 the complex was again under threat of demolition - a new constitution was adopted, and the demolition of the old parliament and government buildings would have been a spectacular symbolic gesture. Fortunately, the locals have managed to preserve the historic buildings.
In 1992, the lower house of parliament, located in the so-called Old Hall, moved to a new building in the southern part of the Binnenhof.
The Binnenhof courtyard is decorated with a gilded fountain in the Gothic style. There is also a monument to King William II - one of the few equestrian statues in the Netherlands.
