Den Haag (The Hague): History

Pre-20th-Century History

The site of The Hague was initially picked around the middle of the 13th century as a top spot for a country house because of the good hunting in the nearby forests. Count Willem II subsequently planned to build a palace for himself, but died shortly before he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, and it was completed by his son Floris V. Parts of it exist today in the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall). To support the court, a village near the hunting lodge developed in the 14th and 15th centuries. Some streets from that village still exist today (Westeinde, Riviervismarkt and Groenmarkt). The original name of The Hague, Des Gravenhage (meaning the count's hedge or private enclosure) reflects its use by the counts of Holland as an administrative centre. Since the 15th century, the Binnenhof ('inner court') has been the centre of Dutch politics. Although it's claimed The Hague was never granted city status (and is thus dubbed by some 'the largest village in Europe'), city walls were finally allowed in the 1500s. The townspeople decided to use the money to build a city hall instead, an unfortunate choice that enabled the Spanish invasion during the Eighty Years' War (1566-1648). Under the influence of Prince Mauritz, defensive canals were built in place of walls, most of which were closed between 1645 and 1905. During French occupation, Napoleon named Amsterdam the capital of the Netherlands, but eight years later, after the French had been kicked out, the government returned to Den Haag (although Amsterdam wouldn't let go of the title of capital).

Modern History

During WWI The Netherlands remained neutral, although after the war they showed who they had closer ties to by granting the German emperor asylum, thus preventing the Allied forces from capturing him.

The Netherlands hoped to remain neutral in WWII also, but it was occupied by Germany from May 1940 for five years. The Hague, with its four airfields, was captured on the first day, though the outraged Dutch managed to briefly recapture their city and allow the queen and government to escape to safety. Hitler's ambitious Atlantik Wall project gradually took over a three-kilometre strip of houses and forest along the coast of The Hague. Several bunkers and gun platforms can still be seen near Scheveningen. In March 1945, just a month before liberation, a blunder by the Allies resulted in Bezuidenhout being bombarded and 500 Dutch civilians being killed (the Allies were aiming for a Germnan rocket installation).

Shortly after the war, following Indonesian independence, around 300,000 Indonesian and Eurasian immigrants came to The Hague, many to work at the Ministry of Colonies; today Indonesian restaurants are more prolific and Indonesian influence is more visible in The Hague than the rest of the country. The Pasar Malam Besar (Large Evening Market) festival, running annually since 1959 is dubbed the largest Eurasian festival in the world. Surinam and Antillean communities also add spice to the city. The Hague's significant Muslim population hails principally from Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia and Surinam.

Citizens have reacted with either love or hate for the new modernist building housing the town hall, public library, municipal records office and department stores, offices and theatres (Den Haag Nieuw Centrum) built in 1995.

Recent History

Today The Hague is the third-largest city in The Netherlands. With its close neighbours Amsterdam and Rotterdam, 'the western hoop' area has the highest population density in Europe (475 people per sq km). Expats totalling 26,000 and immigrants, who comprise up to 40% of the population, give the city an international feel.

In July 2002 a permanent International Criminal Court came into action in The Hague to 'try individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes'. The ICC has investigated situations in Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan. In July 2006 Former Liberian President Charles Taylor faced 11 charges supporting Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front rebels.

In 2007 The Hague celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the Second World Conference on Peace with a building extension, and the ten-year anniversary of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

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