The Ridderzaal (Knight's Hall) in the Binnenhof
We spend Saturday with cousin Jenny, who has been in the Hague on business. We try to do the tourist thing – taking her round the interesting places – but it’s a bit hard when you don’t know yourself! Still, we make our way to the Binnenhof and go into the courtyard for the first time. It is pretty atmospheric in the authentic Dutch drizzle.
We head to the Mauritshuis next door. The Mauritshuis is 17th century palace that now hosts the Royal Picture Gallery, which includes Rembrant’s Anatomy Lesson and, of course, Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring. Although I’m no art expert I can see why Vermeer’s work is so famous (although I still don’t understand why there’s any need to buy a matchbox, soap or playing cards with her face on, as you can in the museum shop!). The use of light is amazing and there is something extremely haunting about her face. And a fact for trivia fans – apparently the pearl itself was painted with just two brushstrokes.
After all that culture, we settle down in a cafe with a nice glass of wine to recover and shelter from the rain…
Fountain outside the Knight's Hall
Under an arch
