THE HAGUE – Politics and ROYAL TRADITIONS

1. Standard City Walk: The Hague – Political Heart of the Netherlands

Can centuries of grand politics and radical urban transformations be packed into a short walk? The Hague proves they can! Regal, proud, yet dynamically evolving, it is a city of unique character—and together, we will journey through its many layers.

During our walk, we will explore the fascinating political atmosphere of both historic and modern Netherlands. We will follow the trail of key figures who shaped this city: from William of Orange and his powerful descendants, through the tragic fates of statesmen of the Dutch Golden Age, to the revolutionary philosopher Baruch Spinoza. We will see the Binnenhof—Europe’s oldest parliament complex still in use today—along with the picturesque Hofvijver pond, the bustling Grote Markt, and the Gothic St. James’ Church. Along the way, we’ll step into the elegant glass-roofed shopping arcade, De Passage. I will show you how a 19th-century commercial boom and radical modern ideas reshaped the urban fabric, turning old canals into modern arteries.

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During the walk, we will answer questions such as:

• Where does the King actually reside – in Amsterdam or The Hague?
• How to tell a regular street from a filled canal?
• How did orange became the national colour of the Netherlands?
• What does the Mauritshuis Gallery have in common with Suriname?

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RESTORATION WORKS

The Binnenhof complex is currently undergoing a major renovation. As a result, the inner courtyard and the Ridderzaal are temporarily inaccessible, and parts of the architecture may be covered in scaffolding.

To help you visualize what might be temporarily hidden from view, I will bring along my own illustrations and photos and visual boards.