The Hague | History, Art Museums, Convention, Court, Map, & Facts

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<span class="toc-extra-link selected link-gray-900 mt-15"> Introduction & Top Questions </span> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/The-Hague/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/The-Hague">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/The-Hague/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/102289-050-EF27EAA0/Hague-Neth.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/108862" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/102289-004-C47F2CA2/Hague-Neth.jpg" alt="The Hague" 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</a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-050-4E11B3C6/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/128241" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-004-F975B019/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" alt="House in the Wood" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-050-6CE774D5/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/113453" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-004-93B7EA39/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" alt="The Hague" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-050-539FD936/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/227606" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-004-0B1609C3/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" alt="The Hague" height="50" /> </a> <a 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-21T00:00:00CST" >Feb 21, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/The-Hague/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 module-spacing js-inline-ai-ask-button p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Dutch: </dt> <dd>’s-Gravenhage or Den Haag</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>French: </dt> <dd>La Haye</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/The-Hague"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is The Hague known for?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Hague is the seat of government of the Netherlands. It is famous for being the permanent home of the United Nations\u2019 International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It is also a leading center for international conferences." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Where is The Hague located?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Hague is situated on a coastal plain in the Netherlands, with the city center just inland from the North Sea." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>How did The Hague get its name?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The name \"The Hague\" recalls the hunting lodge of the counts of Holland, located in a woodland area called Haghe, or \u201Chedge.\u201D " } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>When did The Hague become the administrative capital of the Netherlands?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In the 16th century, Holland became the chief center of Dutch resistance to Spanish Habsburg rule, and in 1559 William I, stadtholder of the Netherlands, made The Hague his capital. About 1585, the States-General, along with other bodies of the Dutch Republic\u2019s central government, established themselves there. " } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is The Hague known for?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The Hague is the seat of government of the Netherlands. It is famous for being the permanent home of the United Nations’ International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It is also a leading center for international conferences.</p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Where is The Hague located?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The Hague is situated on a coastal plain in the Netherlands, with the city center just inland from the North Sea.</p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>How did The Hague get its name?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The name "The Hague" recalls the hunting lodge of the counts of Holland, located in a woodland area called Haghe, or “hedge.” </p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="4"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>When did The Hague become the administrative capital of the Netherlands?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>In the 16th century, Holland became the chief center of Dutch resistance to Spanish Habsburg rule, and in 1559 William I, stadtholder of the Netherlands, made The Hague his capital. About 1585, the States-General, along with other bodies of the Dutch Republic’s central government, established themselves there. </p></div></div></div><button class="show-more-button js-toggle-top-questions btn btn-unstyled font-14 d-flex pr-10 rounded-sm"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></button></div></div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3299096/china-ensure-cost-outweighs-gains-if-manila-launches-new-south-china-sea-case-expert" rel="nofollow">Beijing ready with fresh tactics if Manila launches new South China Sea case: expert</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 18, 2025, 3:25 AM ET (South China Morning Post) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/02/councils-slam-housing-minister-over-refugee-waiting-list-plan/" rel="nofollow">Councils slam housing minister over refugee waiting list plan</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 17, 2025, 7:56 AM ET (DutchNews.nl) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/azerbaijan-sues-armenia-in-hague-arbitration-court-for-environmental-damage" rel="nofollow">Azerbaijan sues Armenia in Hague arbitration court for environmental damage</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 12, 2025, 11:05 PM ET (Straits Times) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/icc-opens-inquiry-into-italy-over-release-of-libyan-warlord/7969989.html" rel="nofollow">ICC opens inquiry into Italy over release of Libyan warlord</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 11, 2025, 12:41 AM ET (Voice of America English News) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/251627/17422a0d6dc57ac211be35abb3f9fb41" rel="nofollow">ICC condemns sanctions by Trump administration and pledges to continue its work</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 7, 2025, 12:54 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref89549"></span>The Hague</strong>, seat of government of <span id="ref89550"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">the Netherlands</a>. It is situated on a coastal plain, with the city centre just inland from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">North Sea</a>. The Hague is the administrative capital of the country and the home of the court and government, though <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Amsterdam" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Amsterdam</a> is the official capital.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The city’s name recalls the hunting lodge of the counts of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Holland-historical-region-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holland</a>, which was located in a woodland area called Haghe, or “hedge” (whence ’s-Gravenhage, “the counts’ private enclosure”). Count <span id="ref89551"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-II-count-of-Holland" class="md-crosslink ">William II</a> built a castle there in 1248, around which several buildings came to be <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="clustered" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/clustered" data-type="EB">clustered</a>, and these became the principal residence of the counts of Holland. These buildings now form the <span id="ref89552"></span>Binnenhof (“Inner Courtyard”) in the old quarter of the city. Among the great halls around this courtyard are the Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall; c. 1280) and the Armistice or Truce Hall, designed by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Marot" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Daniel Marot</a> in 1697. An artificial lake, the <span id="ref89553"></span>Hofvijver, just to the north of the Binnenhof, was dug about 1350 and still forms one of the many attractions of the city.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="227607" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/193732-050-4B0F9424/Shoppers-Venestraat-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/227607"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/193732-050-4B0F9424/Shoppers-Venestraat-The-Hague.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/193732-050-4B0F9424/Shoppers-Venestraat-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="The Hague" data-width="1600" data-height="1060" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/193732-050-4B0F9424/Shoppers-Venestraat-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/227607">The Hague</a><span>Shoppers walking along Venestraat, The Hague.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A commercial district grew up around the Binnenhof in the 13th and 14th centuries, and it survives on shopping streets such as Venestraat, Spuistraat, Gravenstraat, and Hoogstraat. In the 16th century <span id="ref89554"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Holland-historical-region-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holland</a> became the chief centre of Dutch resistance to Spanish <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Habsburg" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Habsburg</a> rule, and in 1559 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-I-stadholder-of-United-Provinces-of-The-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">William I</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/stadtholder" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">stadtholder</a> of the Netherlands, made The Hague his capital. About 1585 the States-General, along with other bodies of the Dutch Republic’s central government, established themselves in the Binnenhof. William’s son, Prince <span id="ref89555"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maurice-stadholder-of-The-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Maurice</a> of Orange, soon took up residence in The Hague, and at his <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="initiative" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiative" data-type="MW">initiative</a> in 1616 a web of canals was constructed around the city that continued to define its borders to the mid-19th century. Around this time, imposing aristocratic mansions were constructed on the eastern side of the Binnenhof. To the southeast grew the Spui (craftsmen’s district) and small inner harbours, and to the west the Prinsegracht (home to the wealthy middle class), which was connected to the horticultural area of the Westland by the Loosduinse canal.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/countries-and-capitals-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/215483-131-BD51CA13/Pakistan-Monument-landmark-Islamabad-Pakistan.jpg" alt="Pakistan Monument is a landmark in Islamabad which represents the four provinces of Pakistan." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Countries and Capitals Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="281355" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/241287-050-12452BFD/Locator-map-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/281355"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/241287-050-12452BFD/Locator-map-The-Hague.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/241287-050-12452BFD/Locator-map-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="The Hague, Netherlands" data-width="2000" data-height="2000" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/241287-050-12452BFD/Locator-map-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/281355">The Hague, Netherlands</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In the 17th century, when the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Dutch-Republic" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dutch Republic</a> played a leading role in Europe, The Hague became a centre of diplomatic negotiation. From 1795 to 1808 The Hague served as the capital of the French-controlled republic of Holland, and, with liberation from the French, the city <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="alternated" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/alternated" data-type="EB">alternated</a> with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Brussels" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brussels</a> as the meeting place of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/States-General-Dutch-history" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">States General</a> of the enlarged Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1815 to 1830. After 1850, when the revenues from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Dutch-East-Indies" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dutch East Indies</a> started to pour in, the city prospered, and many of the older canals were filled in to allow for development. As a result of the international conferences (<span id="ref89556"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Hague-Conventions" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hague Convention</a>) held there in 1899 and 1907, The Hague became a permanent centre of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/international-law" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">international law</a>. After a long sojourn in Amsterdam, the Dutch central government returned to The Hague in 1913.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The city expanded rapidly in the early 20th century, with growth being <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="characterized" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/characterized" data-type="EB">characterized</a> by broad avenues, parks, and public gardens. In the north the Benoordenhout quarter was built, and the fine residential park district of Marlot was constructed near Wassenaar. In the southwest the Zuiderpark districts were laid out, containing many blocks of residential flats. Along the dunes in the west and near the Laan van Meerdervoort and Loosduinseweg small villas were built, and middle-class housing was constructed in the Bomen- en Bloemenbuurt and the Fruit Quarter. These new districts linked The Hague with the popular seaside resort of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Scheveningen" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Scheveningen</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Rijswijk" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rijswijk</a>, Voorburg, and other adjoining municipalities.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="138012" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/135984-050-B2ABE034/European-Patent-Office-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/138012"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/135984-050-B2ABE034/European-Patent-Office-The-Hague.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/135984-050-B2ABE034/European-Patent-Office-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="European Patent Office" data-width="1200" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/135984-050-B2ABE034/European-Patent-Office-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/138012">European Patent Office</a><span>European Patent Office in The Hague.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">There is little heavy industry in The Hague, which is basically a centre of government and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="corporate" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/corporate" data-type="EB">corporate</a> administration. The States General (parliament) meets in the Knights’ Hall, and government departments and foreign embassies occupy other buildings in the old quarter of the city. Most of the city’s business firms are engaged in trade, banking, insurance, or other services. Several large oil companies also have their international headquarters in the city. The Hague is also a leading centre for international conferences. The city’s industries include printing and publishing, electronics, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/food-processing" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">food processing</a>, and the production of ceramics, furniture, glass, and various luxury consumer items.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="128241" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-050-4E11B3C6/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/128241"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-050-4E11B3C6/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-050-4E11B3C6/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg?w=300" alt="House in the Wood" data-width="919" data-height="925" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/131811-050-4E11B3C6/House-Wood-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/128241">House in the Wood</a><span>House in the Wood, The Hague; designed by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The Binnenhof is surrounded by buildings dating from the 15th to the 18th century. Among these historical landmarks are the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hagia-Sophia" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Great Church</a> of St. Jacob (Jacobskerk; 1399), which has a hexagonal tower and a richly decorated late <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gothic</a> choir, as well as the largest carillon in the Netherlands; the Protestant <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Church" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New Church</a> (1654); the royal palace on the Noordeinde (16th century); the royal palace known as the House in the Wood (Huis ten Bosch; 1645–47); and the old Renaissance-style town hall (1564), which was subsequently enlarged several times.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=august-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="113453" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-050-6CE774D5/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/113453"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-050-6CE774D5/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-050-6CE774D5/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="The Hague" data-width="1600" data-height="1200" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/117601-050-6CE774D5/Noordeinde-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/113453">The Hague</a><span>Noordeinde Palace, The Hague.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">South of the Binnenhof is the Buitenhof, a centre of the town’s activities and the site of several hotels and restaurants. The original entrance to it was the Gevangenpoort (Prisoner’s Gate), a tower and gate built about 1400. It is now a museum dedicated to the history of punishment and torture in the Netherlands. Just north of the Binnenhof lies the Hofvijver (Court Pond), a rectangular artificial pond with a small island in the centre. Close by is the Old Catholic Church (1722), which has a beautiful <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Baroque-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Baroque</a> interior. The Hague is home to two residences of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Orange" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dutch royal family</a>. The Noordeinde Palace was first built in the 16th century. The other royal palace, Huis ten Bosch, dates from 1640 and was designed by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pieter-Post" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pieter Post</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacob-van-Campen" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jacob van Campen</a>. It has a beautiful hall with a domed roof.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="227606" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-050-539FD936/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/227606"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-050-539FD936/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-050-539FD936/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="The Hague" data-width="1600" data-height="1127" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/145139-050-539FD936/Peace-Palace-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/227606">The Hague</a><span>Peace Palace, The Hague.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="71508" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/70928-050-60EE0B78/Members-Permanent-Court-of-Arbitration-disputes-The-1899.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/71508"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/70928-050-60EE0B78/Members-Permanent-Court-of-Arbitration-disputes-The-1899.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/70928-050-60EE0B78/Members-Permanent-Court-of-Arbitration-disputes-The-1899.jpg?w=300" alt="Permanent Court of Arbitration" data-width="1600" data-height="1218" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/70928-050-60EE0B78/Members-Permanent-Court-of-Arbitration-disputes-The-1899.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/71508">Permanent Court of Arbitration</a><span>Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, established at The Hague in 1899 to settle international disputes by judicial means.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="223240" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/192971-050-FC4FD1E7/Headquarters-International-Criminal-Court-The-Hague.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/223240"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/192971-050-FC4FD1E7/Headquarters-International-Criminal-Court-The-Hague.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/192971-050-FC4FD1E7/Headquarters-International-Criminal-Court-The-Hague.jpg?w=300" alt="International Criminal Court" data-width="1600" data-height="975" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">3 of 3</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/192971-050-FC4FD1E7/Headquarters-International-Criminal-Court-The-Hague.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/223240">International Criminal Court</a><span>Headquarters of the International Criminal Court, The Hague.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">To the north the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United Nations</a>’ <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Court-of-Justice" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">International Court of Justice</a> are housed in the Peace Palace, an imposing building that was completed in 1913 with an endowment from the American industrialist <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Andrew-Carnegie" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Andrew Carnegie</a>. Among the city’s more striking modern buildings are the headquarters of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group (1941), the KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) building (1949), the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> Embassy (1959), Dr. Anton Philips Hall (1987), a concert <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="venue" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venue" data-type="MW">venue</a>, and the headquarters of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Criminal-Court" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">International Criminal Court</a> (2015).</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="114426" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/118569-050-7BE20DD3/Mauritshuis-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/251627/114426"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/118569-050-7BE20DD3/Mauritshuis-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/118569-050-7BE20DD3/Mauritshuis-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg?w=300" alt="Jacob van Campen: Mauritshuis" data-width="1600" data-height="1060" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/118569-050-7BE20DD3/Mauritshuis-The-Hague-Jacob-van-Campen.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251627/114426">Jacob van Campen: Mauritshuis</a><span>Mauritshuis, The Hague; designed by Jacob van Campen.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The numerous museums in the city <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="comprise" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprise" data-type="MW">comprise</a> a wide range of collections. The Royal Picture Gallery, housed in the famous building known as the <span id="ref89557"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mauritshuis" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mauritshuis</a> (1633–44), has a remarkable collection of the works of the Dutch masters: <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rembrandt-van-Rijn" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rembrandt</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Vermeer" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Johannes Vermeer</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jan-Havickszoon-Steen" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jan Steen</a>, and others. The Bredius Museum (1645) also has a fine collection of old paintings of the Dutch school. Other notable museums are the Mesdag Museum, the Mesdag Panorama, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stedelijk-Museum" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Municipal Museum</a>, and the Museum for Communication. The Royal Library, established in 1798, has the most important collection of old books and manuscripts in the country. There are several art academies, and musical life is dominated by The Hague Philharmonic orchestra. The city also has some notable parks and recreation areas. It has excellent road and rail connections with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Rotterdam-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Rotterdam</a>, Amsterdam, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Utrecht-Netherlands" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Utrecht</a>. Pop. (2017 est.) 524,882.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature font-12"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="md-signature font-12">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Adam-Augustyn/6394">Adam Augustyn</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-simplify-root"></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":251627,"pageLength":1136,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.36"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.36' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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The Hague | History, Art Museums, Convention, Court, Map, & Facts | Britannica