During my sightseeing tour of The Hague, I also visited the Binnenhof, the seat of the Dutch government. I entered the courtyard of the Gothic building complex through the western city gate between the Binnenhof and Buitenhof. This complex, with its surrounding government buildings from various eras, originated from the former hunting lodge of Count William II of Holland in the 13th century and is now the heart of Dutch politics. My first glance upon entering the courtyard fell on the magnificent fountain, which was created in 1883 by Dutch artist Pierre Cuypers. On top of the fountain is a gilded statue of William II, the Dutch count and Roman king who commissioned the construction of the Knights’ Hall. This 13th-century Gothic Knights’ Hall, which strongly reminded me of a church with its pointed towers, is located directly behind the fountain and has a very special significance for Dutch parliamentary democracy. Every year on the third Tuesday in September, known as Prince’s Day, King Willem-Alexander travels in a golden carriage from Noordeinde Palace to the Knights’ Hall and takes his seat on the throne. There he delivers a speech to the First and Second Chambers, thereby opening the new parliamentary year. This assembly is known as the joint meeting of the States General. During my tour of the courtyard, I was also able to see the buildings of the First and Second Chambers, the Dutch parliament, from the outside. The small octagonal tower, Torentje, is particularly beautiful. It offers a beautiful view of the courtyard pond and houses the Dutch Prime Minister’s office. I was impressed by the Binnenhof with its buildings. This is where parliament meets, where the Prime Minister works, and where the ministers hold their weekly meetings. After a thorough tour of the courtyard, I turned right as I left the western city gate and took a short break at the Hofteich, the Hofvijver. This former dune lake of the castle of the Counts of Holland was created around the city, and from here I had a wonderful view of The Hague skyline.
