Den Haag

A visit to Den Haag, the seat of Dutch Government.   The administrative capital of the Netherlands. 

It is also a patrician city, very elegant and gentile. 

 Walter was born in Den Haag, and he spent the first ten years of his life there, before his family moved to Australia.   So it is also a very special city for Walter.

Our first view as we left the railway station.   The modern city buildings, rising up into the skyline, behind the square.   

We had taken the slow sprinter train from Houten to Den Haag.   The train that stopped at every station.   It was not planned, but we noticed the sprinter train to Houten was travelling on to Den Haag so we stayed on it.     I think two fast intercity trains passed us on our journey.   

Consequently by the time we arrived in Den Haag, it was lunch time, so we found a lovely little cafe not far from the station.   It was very cosy and had a great view of the street below.

A small sandwich and a coffee revived us somewhat, and we continued on our way.   I look very happy and comfortable in the armchair.

Our next stop was the Mauritshuis.    

The Mauritshuis is an art museum which houses the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, mostly Dutch Golden Age paintings.   The 17th century building was once the residence of Count John Maurice of Nassau, but is now the property of the government of the Netherlands.    The house has recently been refurbished.

It is a very elegant building, both inside and outside.

Peter Paul Rubens' 'Old Woman and Boy'.    Such character in the faces.

The centre hallway and stairs.   So many beautiful paintings.

Jan Steen's 'As the Old Sing, So Pipe the Young'.   Jan Steen portrays everyday life very well.   The paintings are always very jolly.   And a little bit decadent.   In the painting below a man is teaching a boy how to smoke a pipe and a lady is holding her glass out so that it can be filled with wine.   There is a Dutch saying, that if you have a house like Jan Steen, it is very messy.   Not complementary at all.   I love Jan Steen's paintings.

A very special painting, now well known after the film called 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' was produced.   Johannes Vermeer did not use a model when painting the girl.   He also uses light as a special effect.  

Another Vermeer painting 'Diana and her Nymphs' which again shows the light reflecting on part of the painting.

We were fascinated by the painting 'The Bull' by Paulus Potter.  The detail was amazing, even down to the bird in the sky, the cowpad and the flies hovering on the cattle.

The flowers in the reception hall of the building.  A brilliant display.  I put my hand up to touch them and found they were artificial.  That was a little disappointing.

Outside again and we entered the Binnenhof which is the centre courtyard of the Dutch houses of parliament.   The Knightshall, in the photo below, is used for official occasions, such as the opening of parliament.

The Passage is the oldest indoor shopping mall in the Netherlands.   It was built in the 19th century, and contains many exclusive shops.  Too expensive for us but Walter had a free cup of coffee in the Nespresso shop.

A delicious array of chocolates.  The Netherlands is not a country to visit when one is on a sugar free diet.  The temptations are great.

The town hall.   As always a very beautiful building.

The official working palace in Den Haag.   The Ambassador of Italy and his wife left after an official reception, escorted by military policemen on motorbikes.   They were probably driven around the corner to one of the embassies.  An impressive display all the same.

We realised that it was getting late, and we were by this time some distance from the railway station.   It is amazing how far one can walk when meandering around streets.   After a long and tiring walk back to the railway station, we met up with Aaron, and headed back to Utrecht on a fast intercity train.  

All we had to do then was find our bikes amongst the hundreds of others in the parking area in the station.

Aah, there is mine.   The one with the blue bags.   Still there.  But it was locked.   One must never leave an unlocked bike around in the Netherlands.   Otherwise it will disappear.   Very quickly.

A very interesting day in a very elegant city.   We always enjoy visiting Den Haag.