The Haags Historisch Museum or (The Historical Museum of The Hague, Netherlands) is set in one of the most magnificent locations, right on Hofvijver, the city’s parliamentary strip. Even more important for museum goers is the fact that Mauritshuis is a stone’s throw away from the Haags Historisch Museum. So it’s a great opportunity to visit both museums in a single afternoon.
The Haags Historisch Museum has 3 permanent exhibition areas: Typisch Haags (Typically from The Hague), Tweede Wereldoorlogzaal (the 2nd World War Room) and the Groeikaart (Growth Map) which demonstrates the development of the city over time.
Image credit: Haags Historisch Museum
A marvelous dolls house, situated in the attic of the museum, also forms part of the permanent collection. The dolls house was once created and owned by Lita de Ranitz in the late 1800s. Lita made the dolls house when she was 34 years old and a large part of her life’s work is on display in this room within the museum.Lita’s dolls house is a detailed spectacle and depiction of 18th century decor in miniature form of course. It’s truly breathtaking to see the tiny pots, pans and utensils in the dolls house kitchen especially if you have a keen interest in all things decor and design. There’s also an entire wall in the same exhibition room with displays of stand-alone rooms behind glass (see photo below).
Additionally, and also in the attic of the museum is a fascinating exhibition about foreigners living in The Hague through the centuries. The exhibition is called ‘De Wereld in Den Haag’ (The World in Den Haag/The Hague). As an expat living here for more than a year now I found this exhibition to be particularly profound. It is really interesting to see the locals who migrated to the city, read their impressions of living here and also see the cultural influence they brought with them. ‘De Wereld in Den Haag’ exhibition really prompts you to think about the diversity of the city and how it has always been a place that attracts people from far off lands, and ones nearby too. I must add that this richness and cultural diversity is what I really love and appreciate about the city.
However, one of the main reasons for people to visit the Haags Historisch Museum is of course to see the many beautiful Dutch paintings with subject matter from the city itself. For me, this is a very special thing to see as you can really begin to understand the development of the city and the changes over the years. Here you can view paintings of parliamentary officials and citizens of The Hague dressed in the clothing of a bygone time. And there are even various works of art that shed light on the city and its history in ways you could never believe. For instance, there is even a painting entitled, ‘Marriage Lottery at The Hague’s Fairground’ which tells the story of finding a suitable marriage partner as part of a lottery or game that once took place.
Something a little bit arbitrary (and unexpected!) is a display of Johan de Witt’s tongue and one of Cornelius de Witt’s fingers…and yes these are real and hence kinda gross…The de Witt brothers were infamous in The Hague during the 1600s and the Dutch Golden Age. After the murder of the brothers their bodies were mutilated by crowds and body parts were hacked off and kept as souvenirs by every day folk. Hence, this is why we can still see a human tongue and finger carefully preserved in a glass case. And to think that this happened around 400 years ago – not really such a long time ago at all…
This is the enclosed glass casing where the tongue and finger are housed.
Now for the tongue and finger in the little brown wooden box…definitely a little bit shrivelled up over time.
Another room that is very interesting albeit extremely sad is a section dedicated to the history of Jewish people in the city. This is quite eye-opening. Here you’ll read about the ration stamps, medals, paintings, kitchen equipment, signs and other objects on display that all played a role during the second world war.
In fact, during the Holocaust, around 8000 Jewish people were murdered in The Hague and only about 2000 survived by hiding or fleeing. Many also committed suicide. To this day, remnants of the war can still be seen in the city – for instance, there are various bunkers near the coastal areas in the dunes and also various sculptures and statues across the city which serve as reminders of the city’s tormented past.
As you can see, the Haags Historisch Museum explores the history of the city and its diverse people over the years. What I really like about the museum is that it explores the past as well as the present. This is a museum where we are encouraged to not only look at the city’s roots but where we are also importantly urged to formulate our own future and learn from the mistakes of the past. Here we are shocked by history but also made to think, reflect and ponder. This is a museum I would not miss at any cost.
Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem is the founder and main writer at The Museum Times. She works as a university lecturer by day and is an avid travel blogger and arts and culture enthusiast by night. Elizabeth started The Museum Times out of the need to give smaller, lesser-known museums more exposure.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
Leave a Reply