Ridderzaal

Den Haag


Originally the reception and party hall of a 13th-century hunting lodge built by the the Count of Holland, the Knights Hall is the oldest part of the Binnenhof. It hosts ceremonial occasions, the most important being Prinsjesdag, an annual ceremony on the third Tuesday in September when the monarch addresses members of both Houses of Parliament (Senate and House of Representatives) from his or her throne.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Den Haag attractions

1. Binnenhof

0.01 MILES

Home to both houses of the Dutch government, this complex of buildings next to the Hofvijver is arranged around a central courtyard that was once used for…

2. Mauritshuis

0.06 MILES

Offering a wonderful introduction to Dutch and Flemish art, this splendid museum is set in a 17th-century mansion built for wealthy sugar trader Johan…

3. Hofvijver

0.07 MILES

Overlooked by both the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis, the picturesque Hofvijver inspires countless snapshots.

4. Galerij Prins Willem V

0.13 MILES

Sharing an entrance with the Gevangenpoort, this was the first public museum in the Netherlands when it opened in 1774 as a showcase of William V's art…

5. Museum de Gevangenpoort

0.13 MILES

A remnant of the 13th-century city fortifications, the Gevangenpoort functioned as a prison from 1428 to 1825. Guided tours (30 minutes) run hourly on…

6. Stadhuis

0.18 MILES

Designed by US architect Richard Meier and completed in 1995, this often-maligned, huge, blindingly white building is usually referred to as the 'Ice…

7. Escher in Het Paleis

0.27 MILES

Once home to members of the Dutch royal family, the 18th-century Lange Voorhout Palace now houses a collection of the work of Dutch graphic artist MC…

8. Grote Kerk

0.31 MILES

Dating from 1450, the Great Church has a fine pulpit that was constructed in the following century. If you're here outside its limited visitor season …