Binnenhof

The Binnenhof (Dutch, lit. "inner court"), is a collection of buildings in The Hague. It has been the location of meetings of the Staten-Generaal (the Dutch parliament) since 1446, and has been the centre of Dutch politics for centuries.

The grounds on which the Binnenhof now stands was purchased by Count Floris IV of Holland in 1229, where he built his mansion. More buildings were constructed around the court, several of which are well known in their own right, such as the Ridderzaal (knight hall) (pictured), where the queen holds her annual speech . One of the towers, simply known as het Torentje (the small tower) has been the working space of the Prime minister of the Netherlands since 1982.

The Binnenhof was also the site where statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was executed in 1619.

External links

• Extensive history of the Binnenhof (in Dutch), including many pictures
• Virtual tour of the Binnenhof (in Dutch)