Buitenhof+Hofvijver, The Hague (Den Haag), The Netherlands (Part3/14) City Tour
Buitenhof, The Hague
The Buitenhof (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbœytənɦɔf], Outer Court) is a square in The Hague, Netherlands, adjacent to the Binnenhof (Inner Court) and the Hofvijver pond. It is listed in the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites.
History
The square originated in the 13th century, during the construction of the Binnenhof. It was filled with houses and stables and, during the reign of Count Albert I, it even features a zoo. The zoo exhibited mostly falcons and other birds of prey that were used for hunting. Later, hounds were exhibited as well. The Buitenhof was moated for safety in the 15th century. People that did not belong to the court, lived outside of it, around the Plaats and the Korte Voorhout, and along the Hofvijver. The only entrance to the square was the Gevangenpoort, Prison Gate. A second entrance was introduced in 1814 with the construction of the Gravenstraat. In 1923, the houses between the gate and the Hofvijver were demolished, as was advised by architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage. This created more space for the increasing traffic, which had had to pass the gate before
Hofvijver
The Hofvijver (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɔfɛivər]; English: Court Pond) is a pond in the centre of The Hague. It is adjoined in the east by the Korte Vijverberg (road), in the south by the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis, in the west by the Buitenhof and in the north by the Lange Vijverberg (road). In the middle there is a small island with plants and trees which has no name, it is usually referred to as the island in the Vijverberg.
History
The term pond is actually a misnomer, as the Hofvijver has its origin in a natural dunelake fed by the Haagse Beek (Hague Creek) (Originally: Dunecreek) and the, nowadays muted, Bosbeek (Forestcreek) from the Haagse Bos (Hague Forest). The Haagse Beek still feeds the Hofvijver and so the pond is directly connected to the dunes in Kijkduin.
In this dunelake there was an island (not the current island in the Hofvijver) on which William II built his palace in 1248. Other sources say he built his palace alongside the pond and created a moat around it. The city of The Hague celebrated its 700 years of existence in 1948, suggesting that the city itself places its origin on the building of the palace by Willem II in 1248.
Count Albert decided on the rectangular shape in the 14th century. In the 17th century the Hofvijver got quays and in the 19th century it was elongated. Up to around 1800 the Binnenhof was still encircled by a moat and was only accessible by bridges.
The island in the Vijverberg we know nowadays was only created around 300 years ago. How or why it was created is unknown. In the centre of the island stands a flagpole and the island itself counts a number of trees and small plants (no bushes). It is not open to the public. Alongside the island there is a fountain in the water. During demonstrations the island has been 'occupied' a couple of times and there have been banners displayed on the island.
Present
Nowadays the Hofvijver is adjoined in the west by the Buitenhof, but until the 19th century that side was adjoined by houses. The pond is encircled by fairly high quays, but is very shallow on some points. In 2004 an underwater gate was built to make sure that nobody could swim to the prime minister's office without being detected. His office, the Torentje (Little Tower), adjoins the Hofvijver as it is located on the Binnenhof.
On the bank across from the Binnenhof (Lange Vijverberg) there is a statue of Jantje (Little John) pointing to the Binnenhof. 'Jantje' probably refers to John I, Count of Holland who died at the age of 15 years, and features in a well known Dutch children's song about The Hague.
Located next to the Vijverberg are several museums, like the Mauritshuis, the Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate), the Hague Historical Museum and the Gallery Prince William V.
LIKE!!
Share!!
Subscribe!!
Let me know if you got any suggestions or ideas concerning my film-making or places you would like me to show
Thank You!!
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (
Hofvijver - The Hague Netherlands
Angloinfo South Holland panoramic video view of the 'Hofvijver' pond next to the Binnenhof (Dutch Parliament building) on a winter's evening in The Hague, Netherlands
Hofvijver, The Hague
Timelapse of the Binnenhof House of Parliament and the Hofvijver lake with downtown skyscrapers in background. The Hague, Netherlands. With panning motion
(c) Dmitry Rukhlenko
No usage without permission.
This footage is available for licensing here -
Hofvijver, Den Haag Oude Centrum, Netherlands
In the old center of The Hague, Netherlands, this modest lake has been called Hofvijver or 'Court Pond' since the 13th century. Being closely watched by an interesting-looking Nile goose. Shot with an iPhone 6+ @ 1080p/60 fps.
Binnenhof.. The Hague (Den Haag), The Netherlands (Part2/14) Parlement, House of Representatives
Binnenhof
The Hague's Binnenhof with the Hofvijver
The Binnenhof (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɪnə(n)ɦɔf]; English: Inner Court) is a complex of buildings in the city centre of The Hague, next to the Hofvijver lake. It houses the meeting place of both houses of the States General of the Netherlands, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Built primarily in the 13th century, the Gothic castle originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland and became the political centre of the Dutch Republic in 1584. It is counted among the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites. The Binnenhof is the oldest House of Parliament in the world still in use.
The Binnenhof and Hofvijver on a map of The Hague from around 1600
Little is known about the origin of the Binnenhof. Presumably, the grounds next to the Hofvijver lake, and the small homestead on it, were purchased by Count Floris IV of Holland from Meiland van Wassenaar in November 1229. Between 1230 and 1234 he had the homestead expanded to a small keep. After Floris' son and successor William II was crowned King of the Romans in 1248, this construction continued. Between 1248 and 1280, William had the Ridderzaal built. To its left and right, walls were built, which divided the area in front of the building from that behind it. Both walls had a gate. At the end of the wall on the left, near the Hofvijver, the court chapel was built, and near that the Ridderhuis (literally Knights' House) where visiting knights were sheltered. William died in battle in 1256, before the construction of the Ridderzaal had finished, and the castle was completed during the reign of his son, Floris V. The Binnenhof was the residence of the counts of Holland for a short period. After the house of Holland died out in 1299, the county fell in the hands of the counts of Hainaut. The counts of Hainaut barely resided in the Binnenhof in the early 14th century. Duke Albert I of Bavaria and his successor William II lived in the Binnenhof virtually permanently. Under their reign, the castle saw a sizeable expansion, and gradually became enclosed by buildings.
A meeting of the States General of the Dutch Republic in the Ridderzaal in 1651
When Holland had become part of the Burgundian Empire in 1432, the Binnenhof lost its purpose and was abandoned. Part of the complex was later made into the residence of the stadtholder of Holland, who governed the county in absence of its ruler. After Philip II was deposed as Count of Holland and the Dutch Republic was proclaimed in 1581, the Ridderzaal was initially a public space, often used by traders, stallholders and book sellers. In 1584, stadtholder Maurice moved into the stadtholder's quarter, and in the same year, the Ridderzaal became the meeting place of the newly formed States General of the Dutch Republic. The expansions of the Binnenhof by Maurice were the beginning of a gradually advancing reconstruction of the castle that ended after the construction of the southern wing under stadtholder William V, in the late 18th century.
The House of Representatives sat in the Oude Zaal (literally Old Hall) until 1992, when it had become too small to facilitate the 150 members of the house, and a modern expansion was built on the south of the building, housing its new seat.
The Ridderzaal in 1900
Originally built as a ballroom, the Gothic Ridderzaal (a great hall, literally Knight's Hall) today forms the centre of the Binnenhof. Every third Tuesday of September, on Prinsjesdag, this is where the King holds his annual Speech from the Throne. Other buildings shape a rectangle around the Ridderzaal, creating a large courtyard in front of the building, and a smaller square behind it. A gilt Neo-Gothic fountain adorns the courtyard and a statue of King William II, one of few Dutch equestrian statues, guards its gate, the Stadtholder's Gate, which dates from 1620.
Looking out over the Hofvijver, the Senate sits in a chamber in the western corner of the Binnenhof, while the House of Representatives originally sat in the southern corner, at the other side of the Stadtholder's Gate. Today, the lower house meets in a chamber in the large modern eastern part of the complex. The Prime Minister's office has since 1982 been located in the small tower in the northern corner, simply called the Torentje, Little Tower. Located in the north-western wing, the Trêveszaal is meeting room originally built for negotiations during the Eighty Years' War; today, it is the meeting room of the Cabinet.
LIKE!!
Share!!
Subscribe!!
Let me know if you got any suggestions or ideas concerning my film-making or places you would like me to show
Thank You!!
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (
Walking around the Hofvijver, The Hague
An informal walk along the Hofvijver, The Hague, The Netherlands. Starting at the monument for the politician Willem Drees, and ending at the Mauritshuis Museum.
Filmed with Osmo Pocket, a Saturday afternoon, June 2019.
Hofvijver, The Hague
Timelapse of the Binnenhof House of Parliament and the Hofvijver lake with downtown skyscrapers in background. The Hague, Netherlands. Zoom out effect
(c) Dmitry Rukhlenko
No usage without permission.
This footage is available for licensing here -
The Hague Hofvijver. Government of The Netherlands.
Parlement Buildings - Binnenhof - The Hague - The Netherlands
The Parliament Buildings in The Hague called The Binnenhof was built in the 13th century and currently still functions the home of the Dutch Parliament.
The main building at the centre of the parliament buildings is called the Ridderzaal meaning the Hall of Knights. The Ridderzaal functioned as the place where reigning monarch currently the Dutch king addresses the Dutch Senate and the House of Representatives every third Tuesday of September. In Dutch this day is called Prinsjesdag. Since 1982 the office of the Dutch Prime Minister is located in the small tower on the left side of the parliament buildings called Torentje i.e. the little tower.
Filmed with LG G6
For more videos of holland visit my channel at
New year 2018 countdown and Firework at Hofvijver, The Hague, Netherlands
Amazing fireworks at this beautiful place
New year 2018- Hofvijver, The Hague /Den Haag. Fun and party
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018
The Hague in the winter .The place where the soul sings. The Netherlands
The Hague in the winter .The place where the soul sings. The Netherlands
The Hague Hofvijver Christmas Light Show 2015
During the Royal Christmas Fair the The Hague parliament buildings transformed into one big screen for spectacular light projections.
Binnenhof, The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands
The Binnenhof (English: Inner Court) is a complex of buildings in the city centre of The Hague, Netherlands, next to the Hofvijver. It houses the meeting place of both houses of the States General of the Netherlands, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Built primarily in the 13th century, the Gothic castle originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland and became the political centre of the Dutch Republic in 1584. It is counted among the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites. The Binnenhof is the oldest House of Parliament in the world still in use.
(wikipedia)
Kerstmarkt Hofvijver Den Haag
De gezellige kerstmarkt langs de Hofvijver in Den Haag
Flaneren langs de Hofvijver Den Haag
The Netherlands, The Hague. October 2, 2018
Flaneer mee langs de Hofvijver.
Countdown to 2018 @ the Hofvijver in the Hague
#Happynewyear #NYE #Fireworks #Newyearseve
The Hague (Den Haag), The Netherlands.. City Tour (Part5/14) Spui..
Spui
The City Center of The Hague (Dutch: Centrum) is the oldest and, with a population of 520,704 inhabitants (as of 1 April 2016) and more than one million inhabitants including the suburbs,the second largest of The Hague's eight districts, consisting of nine neighbourhoods. Two railways stations can be found in the city center: Den Haag Centraal en Den Haag Hollands Spoor.
The Oude Centrum (Old Center) forms the heart of The Hague, which includes the Binnenhof and Hofvijver, the Noordeinde Palace, the Mauritshuis museum, Korte Poten, Lange Poten, Grote Markt and the City Hall of The Hague. The history of the old center is reflected in the architectural diversity that can be found in this part of the city center, ranging from 17th century Renaissance to 20th century expressionism.
LIKE!!
Share!!
Subscribe!!
Let me know if you got any suggestions or ideas concerning my film-making or places you would like me to show
Thank You!!
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (
Nederland The Hague
The Hague officially is the third largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, with a population of 485,818 (as of May 31, 2009) and an area of approximately 100 km². It is located in the west of the Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, of which it is also the provincial capital. The Hague is the centre of a conurbation called Haaglanden (population 1,011,459) and lies at the southwest corner of a larger conurbation called the Randstad.
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch parliament, government and Royal Court (but the city is not the capital of the Netherlands which is a role set aside in the Dutch constitution for Amsterdam). Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands lives and works in The Hague. All foreign embassies and government ministries are located in the city, as well as the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Supreme Court), the Raad van State (Council of State) and many lobbying organisations.
The Hague is also the seat of over 150 international organisations, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. It is one of the major cities of the UN, along with New York and Geneva .
The Hague originated around 1230, when Floris IV, Count of Holland purchased land alongside a pond (now the Hofvijver) in order to build a hunting residence. In 1248 William II, Count of Holland and Rex Romanorum, decided to extend the residence to a palace. He died in 1256 before this palace was completed, but parts of it were finished by his son Floris V, of which the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall), still extant, is the most prominent. It is still used for political events, such as the annual speech from the throne by the monarch.
Later, the counts of Holland used The Hague as their administrative centre and residence when in Holland. 'Des Graven Hage' literally means the count's wood, with connotations like the count's hedge or private enclosure.
When the Dukes of Burgundy gained control over the counties of Holland and Zeeland at the beginning of the 15th century, they appointed a stadtholder to rule in their stead with the States of Holland as an advisory council. Their seat was located in The Hague. At the beginning of the Eighty Years' War, the absence of city walls proved disastrous, as it allowed Spanish troops easily to occupy the town. In 1575 the States of Holland even considered demolishing the city, but this proposal was abandoned, after mediation by William of Orange. From 1588 The Hague also became the location of the government of the Dutch Republic. In order for the administration to maintain control over city matters, The Hague never received official city status (although it did have many privileges, normally only attributed to cities). However, since the days of King Louis Napoleon (1806) The Hague has been allowed to call itself a city.
After the Napoleonic Wars, modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands were combined in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands to form a buffer against France. As a compromise, Brussels and The Hague alternated as capital every two years, with the government remaining in The Hague. After the separation of Belgium in 1830, Amsterdam remained the capital of the Netherlands, while the government was situated in The Hague.
Since early times, probably dating as far back as the 15th century, the stork has been the symbol of The Hague.
Walking the Binnenhof, The Hague
Walking the Binnenhof precinct, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Filmed with Osmo Pocket, on a Wednesday morning, May 2019.
See for more informal walks in The Hague:
-- Walking along the Hofvijver:
-- Walking DE PASSAGE:
-- Walking Grote Marktstraat: