The Hague - Binnenhof

In The Hague, at the east end of the Binnenhof's central courtyard is the Knights' Hall (Ridderzaal), which dates from the time of Floris V. The hall is used for receptions and congresses and also for the state opening of Parliament on the third Tuesday in September (Prinsjesdag), when the Queen drives to Parliament in her golden coach and delivers the speech from the throne. This large Gothic hall (40m/130ft by 20m/65ft) has magnificent stained glass depicting the coats of arms of Dutch towns; particularly fine is the rose window with the arms of the principal noble families of the Netherlands. The heavy timber roof structure with its 18m/60ft long beams has the appearance of an upturned ship. Wooden heads symbolizing eavesdroppers from the higher powers are supposed to deter members of the assembly from lying. The hall was built by Gerard van Leiden in the 13th century as a banqueting hall, and in later centuries served a variety of purposes - as a market hall, a promenade, a drill hall, a children's playground, a public record office, a hospital ward, even the offices of the state lottery. It was restored between 1898 and 1904 to serve its present purposes.

In the entrance lobby below the Knights' Hall is an exhibition illustrating the history of the Dutch Parliament over more than 500 years, the functions of the two chambers and the role of the monarchy and the head of state with displays of historical documents and objects.

The old meeting place of the States of Holland (by Pieter Post, 1652), at the west end of the north wing, now houses the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament. In small niches along the walls are painted medallions depicting notable statesmen. Behind the seat occupied by the President hangs a portrait of King William II under the coat of arms of the Netherlands. The First Chamber, which has 75 members, sits every Tuesday. Its function is to examine legislation passed by the Second Chamber.

Adjoining the Knights' Hall on the east is the oldest group of buildings in the complex, which have been occupied since the time of Philip the Good by law courts.

In the north wing of the Binnenhof are the chamber in which the States General used to meet, the official residence of the prime minister, the government information office, the Rolzaal (1511), in which justice was administered, and the Lairessezaal, with seven paintings by Gerard de Lairesse (1688).

The Second Chamber of Parliament is the legislative authority and watches over the activity of the government. From 1815 - when the bicameral system was introduced at the Congress of Vienna - until 1992 the former ballroom (1790) in the south wing was the meeting place of the Second Chamber. Members now meet in the recently- completed new building designed by the architect Pi de Bruijn. In direct contrast to the old- fashioned interior of the former chamber, the new building is designed in line with modern requirements and furnished in an extremely functional manner. No daylight enters the room, which is decorated in blue and green, in an attempt to provide a neutral atmosphere in which to make governmental decisions. A modern communication system replaces the antiquated one used in the old chamber where handwritten messages were delivered by liveried messengers. Behind the seats occupied by the parties are boxes for invited guests and the public galleries. Dutch television takes photographs with computer-controlled cameras and sells them to the various transmitting companies. Live broadcasts are not permitted. Entry to the individual committee rooms is by way of the sumptuously appointed "statenpassage", which boasts Europe's longest cantilever escalator.

At the west end of the Binnenhof is the Buitenhof, with an equestrian statue of King William II (d. 1849).