Huis ten Bosch
| Huis ten Bosch | |
|---|---|
 Huis ten Bosch in 1999 |
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| General information | |
| Location | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Address | Haagse Bos 10 |
| Current tenants | King Willem-Alexander |
| Construction started | 2 September 1645 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Pieter Post |
| Other designers | Jacob van Campen, Daniel Marot |
Huis ten Bosch (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦœy̆s tɛmˈbɔs]; English: "House in the Woods") is one of the three official residences of the Dutch Royal Family, located in The Hague in the Netherlands. It has been home to King Willem-Alexander since 2013. The other Royal palace in The Hague, Noordeinde Palace, is used for work-related purposes. A replica of the palace was built in Sasebo, Japan in a theme park bearing the same name.
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History [edit]
Construction of Huis ten Bosch was begun on 2 September 1645, under the direction of Bartholomeus Drijffhout,[1] and to a design by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen. It was commissioned by the wife of the stadholder, Amalia von Solms on a parcel of land granted to her by the States General (Loonstra, 1983, Slothouwer 1945). This first stone was laid by Elizabeth of Bohemia.
Oranjezaal [edit]
After her husband's death in 1647, Amalia dedicated the Palace to her husband. Led by the Catholic architect-painters Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post, other major Catholic artists of the day such as Gerard van Honthorst, Jacob Jordaens, Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert, Theodoor van Thulden, Caesar van Everdingen, Salomon de Bray, Pieter Soutman, Gonzales Coques, Pieter de Grebber, Adriaen Hanneman and Jan Lievens filled the Oranjezaal ("Orange Hall" ) with paintings glorifying the late prince. The dining room was designed by Daniel Marot.
Later inhabitants [edit]
Over the next century and a half, the palace would change possession from the Nassau family, the king of Prussia, and many Stadholders until the French invaded in 1795. They gave the palace to the Batavian (Dutch) people who still own it to this day. Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Louis, king of Holland, briefly lived in the palace between 1805 and 1807.
When William I was proclaimed King of the Netherlands, he made Huis ten Bosch one of his official residences. It became a favourite location for many members of the Royal Family, and during World War I it became the primary residence of Queen Wilhelmina.
The Queen and her family were forced to evacuate the palace for Britain (from which the Queen's family, but not the Queen herself, would move on to Canada) when the German army invaded the Netherlands during World War II. The Nazi administration planned to demolish the palace, but the controller convinced them not to. However, the palace was damaged beyond habitation.
Current status as Royal residence [edit]
Between 1950 and 1956, the palace was restored and once again became a Royal residence. It became the prime residence once more in 1981.
The palace has undergone major reconstructions since it was built. Currently, it consists of a central part with two long wings, spanning approximately 110 m from end to end.
References [edit]
- ^ Stenvert, R. et al. (2004). Monumenten in Nederland: Zuid-Holland, p. 227–228. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. ISBN 90-400-9034-3.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Huis ten Bosch |
- Huis ten Bosch at the official website of the Dutch Royal Family
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Dutch Rijksmonument 17517 |
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