About the Binnenhof

The Binnenhof (Inner Court) is a square located in the heart of The Hague city centre. In the middle of the square you find the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) and the square is lined by parliament buildings and government buildings. The square forms the very heart of Dutch government.

Renovation

Due to ongoing renovations, access to the Binnenhof is currently restricted, and visitors are unable to explore the inner court. All governmental functions have been temporarily relocated elsewhere in The Hague.

Political centre of The Hague

Before the renovation, the Binnenhof was where the House of Representatives met, where the Prime Minister worked and where the Ministers held their weekly consultations. Once a year, the Senate and the House of Representatives met in the Ridderzaal in a Joint Session of the States General. This session takes place on the third Tuesday of September, i.e. Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day). It’s also known as ‘Budget Day’, on which day the Dutch head of state presents the government’s plans for the coming year in the ‘King’s Speech’.

Medieval buildings

The oldest buildings at the Binnenhof were built in the early 13th century and have witnessed quite a few residents come and go. From counts, Stadtholders and Louis Napoleon to the Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart during the German occupation of the Netherlands.

Further Readings

The Binnenhof (also in German, French, Italian and Spanish)

For more information about the history of the Binnenhof and its iconic governmental buildings, read or download as pdf: The Binnenhof

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