Contributed by Jens Hoffmann
When I entered the lobby of “The Collector” boutique hotel, I was enchanted and immediately felt at home.
Arrive, linger and relax.
The apples in the fruit bowl were decorated like an old master still life. Style is obviously important here. The hotel’s rooms are individually and classically designed. I particularly like the different architectural styles and art collections on the walls.
Bicycles are available for guests outside the door.
I start my bike safari, off to Kijkduin.
Looking for the finish line of the 1st stage of the Tour de Femmes, so to speak.
Between many cafes, fountains and shops, the city center is very relaxed. I feel free and enjoy the charming city by the sea. You can taste the nearby beach in the salty air. The magic of The Hague is not just due to the fact that it is right by the sea.
The city also has a lot to offer in terms of history, landscape and art.
Anyone who lives by the sea, on sand, is a “Hagenaar”.
They are often well insured, many residents of the capital are employed as administrative officials. The Hague is also the seat of many European institutions.
Netherlands, The Hague (The Hague) Royal residence Noordeinde Palace. (Paleis Noordeinde) seat of the King
The International Court of Justice of the United Nations is housed here in the Peace Palace.
The International Criminal Court is also located in The Hague.
Some conflicts have been resolved here, and many more are currently being resolved.
However, this is not just a declaration of love for the poetry of everyday life in the city, but rather a vibrant city with social dynamism and conflicts.
The west was built on sand, the east on swampy soil.
The working class lives in the eastern part of the city on the swampy soil, fighting more for freedom and their livelihood.
They are called ‘Hagenezen’.
For the Hagenezen, the ‘Haagse Harry’ on the Grote Markt is an idol.
The smarmy Harry is a Dutch comic character in sweatpants with a lot of humor and zest for life. His monument on the Grote Markt is a popular meeting place. Harry from the Hague speaks Hague Platt, a slang that is rejected by the upper classes.
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Interesting.
Intoxicated by the vibrant life and new everyday encounters, I hop on my bike to the monument of the Hague Bohemians.
It shows an elegant bon vivant named Couperus.
The monument can be found on Lange Voorhout, the house where the writer Couperus lived is now a museum.
He loved the sophisticated Scheveningen.
Scheveningen is cult and cool.
The kilometer-long sandy beach of Scheveningen is only a few minutes by bike from the city center and is beautiful enough to fall in love with.
After a short visit to the beach with a snack and Heineken Pils, we cycle back.
Off to the city center to the Binnenhof.
The building, built in the Gothic style, is the seat of the government of the Netherlands.
It is located on the Groene Zoodje square and belongs on your bucket list.
The Hague was originally the seat of the Count of Holland.
He formed the Dutch Estates Assembly from his team of advisors, which later became the Parliament. Johan de Witt was also part of the Parliament.
He stands on a monument in front of the Parliament and looks down on the people. He lived in The Hague from 1625 to 1672. In the Golden Age of the Netherlands, as the Council Pensionary of Holland, he was the dominant statesman of the Republic of the United Netherlands for many years.
He tried to organize the political system for the benefit of the people and to lead a happy life – unfortunately unsuccessfully, he was lynched by the people. I will leave this uncommented. I look at the Binnenhof building with its pointed roofs and brick walls and notice that it resembles Vermeer’s “View of Delft”.
I then looked at the world-famous painting a few minutes later in the neighboring Mauritshuis Museum.
The state collection contains hundreds of Dutch paintings, including many works by Rembrandt, van Gogh and Vermeer.
My favorite painting by Vermeer remains “The Girl with a Pearl Earring”.
Fascinated by the painting of the young lady, I almost missed my train to Utrecht.
The Mauritshuis Museum is simply beautiful, a visit belongs on the bucketlist.
Dui, The Hague – Belle de jour.
Information:
http://holland.com
Photos: Niederländisches Büro for Tourismus & Conventioin, Miriam Dijck,Hollandse Hootge & Jens Hoffmann
My research was supported by NBTC (Niederländisches Büro für Tourismus & Convention in Cologne.
