Notable landmarks in The Hague include the Binnenhof (Inner Court) and Buitenhof (Outer Court), consisting of a group of government structures dating in part from the 13th century. These include the palace of the States-General, the courts of justice, and the Ridderzaal (Hall of the Knights), built in 1252, in which the states of the Netherlands repudiated the sovereignty of Philip II, king of Spain, in 1581. Ancient towers and gateways surround the group. Nearby to the north is the city's main square and the famous Mauritshuis Royal Art Gallery, known for its collection of 15th- to 17th-century Dutch paintings. Other historic landmarks include the 15th-century Groote Kerk (Great Church); the Stadhuis (City Hall, 1565); and the Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate), now a museum, where the Dutch statesmen Jan De Witt and Cornelis De Witt were murdered in 1672. Modern buildings of interest are the Peace Palace (1913), endowed by the American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1903 and now the home of the International Court of Justice; the modern Municipal Building; and the Netherlands Congress Center (1969). Educational institutions in The Hague include the Institute of Social Studies (1952), the Royal Conservatory of Music and Dance (1826), and the Royal Academy of Fine and Applied Arts (1682). Madurodam, a miniature reconstruction of an old Dutch town, is a popular tourist attraction.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The Hague Information info
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