King Louis Napoleon gave The Hague city rights in 1806, which was more like an honorary title since the government had abolished the medieval concept of city rights in 1798.
Thank you, Ricardo, The Hague is so beautiful, and there are so many more stories to tell. I might write more about The Hague in this summer 'light' version of the newsletter.
Thanks for sharing the history and photos of The Hague. Seems we could use more of those covered shopping areas here with all the rain we’re having. Interesting about the breweries since beer was such an important drink during the Middle Ages when water was often polluted. Glad that you included article links to enable me to delve deeper.
Been to The Hague and at that time never took any notice of the political position(s) the city, people and buildings held. I was more focused on beachcombing and visiting The Pier; zip lining down from a 55 metre high Bungy Tower on The Pier, reaching speeds of 50 miles tops (I think) zooming above sea . . .
With this history story of The Hague you showed me a whole other side of what the importance is to be a city like The Hague, and still is today on a global scale. Thank you for this history lesson (-:
I have quite similar but somewhat different memories. I was amongst the thousands of people lying on the beach while watching others zip-lining down from a 55 meter high Bungy Tower on The Pier...
Really love this greatly interesting post about The Hague! A genuinely fascinating place bursting with history including the important Peace Palace. The photos are fabulous! And the links will be very interesting reading for later. Thanks for another terrific offering!
Love the pictures and the history. I felt instantly smarter after reading this. That city rights concept is something that has always fascinated me, but I grew up in a tiny village where that was never really a question. The Hague is firmly on my list of places I want to visit. So much history to explore. Bet they have great museums too.
We're taught about The Hague and its unique position in Dutch history/politics in school, but obviously our textsbooks were not as interestingly written as your newsletter.
I'd put Switzerland forward as a truly democratic country where government and parliament are in the same building complex. Bern is also quite unique as in not being the official capital of Switzerland (we don't have one); it's the "de facto" capital that everybody could sort of agree on. I think it was mainly that nobody wanted Zurich and that Geneva was too far away from everything else. Aarau was the capital for about 5 months in 1798, Zurich never was - not that we care about that kind of thing ;-)
There are great museums in The Hague. The Mauritshuis is world-famous and was once mentioned in the New York Times as the most beautiful museum in the world. A favorite of mine is Panorama Mesdag, and another is the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (the art museum, where the Mondrians are just one of the good reasons for a visit). And thanks for mentioning Bern, which brings the list of capitals of truly democratic countries where government and parliament are housed in the same complex to two; I wonder if more suggestions will follow.
So interesting to read ! I forwarded your article to my friend. Her niece recently moved there. She is working and studying in The Hague. Thanks also for sharing your beautiful pictures.
Nice pictures and history of my hometown.
Thank you, Ricardo, The Hague is so beautiful, and there are so many more stories to tell. I might write more about The Hague in this summer 'light' version of the newsletter.
What an amazing hometown you have!
Thanks for sharing the history and photos of The Hague. Seems we could use more of those covered shopping areas here with all the rain we’re having. Interesting about the breweries since beer was such an important drink during the Middle Ages when water was often polluted. Glad that you included article links to enable me to delve deeper.
Been to The Hague and at that time never took any notice of the political position(s) the city, people and buildings held. I was more focused on beachcombing and visiting The Pier; zip lining down from a 55 metre high Bungy Tower on The Pier, reaching speeds of 50 miles tops (I think) zooming above sea . . .
With this history story of The Hague you showed me a whole other side of what the importance is to be a city like The Hague, and still is today on a global scale. Thank you for this history lesson (-:
Super photos and the supporting links to read.📜 🙏
I have quite similar but somewhat different memories. I was amongst the thousands of people lying on the beach while watching others zip-lining down from a 55 meter high Bungy Tower on The Pier...
Really love this greatly interesting post about The Hague! A genuinely fascinating place bursting with history including the important Peace Palace. The photos are fabulous! And the links will be very interesting reading for later. Thanks for another terrific offering!
Thank you for the pics, now I have to visit in person
There is so much more to see, you will love it. Combine it with Delft, that is just a tram-ride away from The Hague
Beautiful photos. Love reading about the history. Next best thing to a Viking River Cruise!
Which sounds also interesting!
Loved visiting The Hague for a day of shopping and having lunch by the river. Nice to hear about the history of this beautiful city.
It is one of the best cities for shopping in the Netherlands :-)
Love the pictures and the history. I felt instantly smarter after reading this. That city rights concept is something that has always fascinated me, but I grew up in a tiny village where that was never really a question. The Hague is firmly on my list of places I want to visit. So much history to explore. Bet they have great museums too.
We're taught about The Hague and its unique position in Dutch history/politics in school, but obviously our textsbooks were not as interestingly written as your newsletter.
I'd put Switzerland forward as a truly democratic country where government and parliament are in the same building complex. Bern is also quite unique as in not being the official capital of Switzerland (we don't have one); it's the "de facto" capital that everybody could sort of agree on. I think it was mainly that nobody wanted Zurich and that Geneva was too far away from everything else. Aarau was the capital for about 5 months in 1798, Zurich never was - not that we care about that kind of thing ;-)
There are great museums in The Hague. The Mauritshuis is world-famous and was once mentioned in the New York Times as the most beautiful museum in the world. A favorite of mine is Panorama Mesdag, and another is the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (the art museum, where the Mondrians are just one of the good reasons for a visit). And thanks for mentioning Bern, which brings the list of capitals of truly democratic countries where government and parliament are housed in the same complex to two; I wonder if more suggestions will follow.
So interesting to read ! I forwarded your article to my friend. Her niece recently moved there. She is working and studying in The Hague. Thanks also for sharing your beautiful pictures.