One the best FREE THINGS TO DO in the Netherlands is the free access to the Visitors Center of the imposing Peace Palace in The Hague.
The Peace Palace or Vredespaleis is a temple of peace and justice. It is a law administrative building which houses the United Nations International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the Hague Academy of International Law and the prestigious Peace Palace Library.
Thanks to the enormous donation of the American steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), the construction of this extraordinary palace was made possible in 1907.
Now …
The actual Peace Palace building itself is not open to the general public. But you can have a peek inside by joining a special guided tour.
These tours inside the Peace Palace do not happen very often. You need to check the official site every now and then for the published dates. These dates are limited on weekends and tickets are most often sold out fast. Tours are offered per language group in Dutch, German and English.
So, I did! I bought my ticket as soon as I saw the availability on the website. This was around February 2020. The ticket price was €11.00 (age 9 and above) before the COVID-19 nationwide shut down. Now, tickets are priced at €14.50.
The online payment methods accepted were iDEAL, Visa and Mastercard.
I received my e-ticket via email immediately. It stated clearly that I can only use the ticket once and in combination with a valid passport. An identity card or a driving license is also acceptable only for EU residents. Visitors who arrived late will not be guaranteed an entry on the next time slot. No refunds either.
It mentioned photography is prohibited inside the Peace Palace. No bags or food allowed. Last but not least, dress appropriately!
On the day of my visit, I was very early. It is advisable to allow 30-45 minutes to visit the Visitors Centre before the tour of the palace commences. 💡
I showed my ticket at the counter in exchange for a badge. I was instructed to store my belongings at the free lockers available in the basement.
“Store EVERYTHING except the visitor badge and one form of identification!”
There were approximately 18 of us signed up for the English tour that day. Our guide directed us to make a beeline towards the metal detector. We were about to enter a secure area!
I had to remove my belt that has a metal buckle on it and placed it in a bin. Subsequently, I handed the security guard my passport. He looked at me and carefully reviewed my identification. Then, he signaled me to pass through the sensor. It went without a hitch.
(Note: An exception can be made for pregnant women and people with a pacemaker. A handheld metal detector is readily available.)
After passing the security check, we exited to the other side of the Visitors Center’s building. Our group huddled up together for a quick introduction and learned some ground rules first. After that, we were led across the manicured garden and walked right through the beautiful ornate art nouveau front door like VIPs.
First impression? “Wow!”
This guided tour focuses mainly on the art and architecture of several rooms within the building. Generally, it covers:
– International Court of Justice which takes place in the Great Hall of Justice that has four large magnificent stained-glass windows, a gift from the Great Britain, as a backdrop.
– Permanent Court of Arbitration which takes place in the Small Hall of Justice where the room is still in its original state, featuring an unusual painting in brown tones representing the glorification of peace.
– Japanese Room where the state members hold their meetings each sitting on their own chairs embroidered with the coat of arms of the country they represent. The room is surrounded by the finest silk and golden wall tapestries entitled ‘A Hundred Birds and A Hundred Flowers in the Late Spring and Early Summer’, made by 48.000 Japanese weavers.
– Main Hall has an enchanting grand staircase that leads to the Lady Justice statue under a stunning vaulted ceiling. Check out the image included to see what I mean!
(Image by: Wikipedia)
Everything inside the Peace Palace is grandiose, bold and extravagant!!
All countries that had taken the initiative for the construction of the Peace Palace contributed resources such as building materials and artworks for the decoration of the building. Among the gifts are a bust of Mahatma Gandhi from India, giant standing candelabras from Austria, 3.2 ton ornamental vase from Russia, marble tiles from Italy, exquisite paintings from France, Persian rugs from Iran, woods from Indonesia, enamel cloisonné vases from China, tower clock from Switzerland and lovely Delft tiles made in the Netherlands. The entire collection is immense and immeasurable.
All in all, the duration of the Peace Palace guided walking tour was a short 45-minute. I wished it was longer. Everything was spectacular!
Nevertheless, I do appreciate the opportunity to see the historic building in person, listen to stories, hear tales and the chance to sit in the (empty) courtrooms.
If only I have some kind of proof to show you I was actually inside the Peace Palace. 
😦
This Neo-Renaissance style Peace Palace building was officially opened on 28 August 1913.
Click link below to read my blog further about the Peace Palace’s Visitors Centre.
Link: https://wp.me/p7c9uJ-iq
There is a separate guided tour happening on weekdays called “Around the Palace”. It is cheaper at €11.00 per ticket. The tour takes you around the historical garden only.
Website: https://www.vredespaleis.nl/visit/guided-tours/?lang=en
Address: Carnegieplein 2. 2517 KJ Den Haag.
Opening Hours: April to October from Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Also open on Mondays in August. Off season period November to March from Tues-Sun 11am-4pm. The Visitors Centre is closed on: 25 and 26 December, New Year’s day and King’s day (27 April).
Entrance Fees: Access to the Visitors Centre and use of the audio tour is free of charge. Guided tour tickets cost €14.50 per person (age 9 and above).
Getting There: About 13 minutes with public transportation or a good 35 minutes walk from Den Haag central station. https://www.vredespaleis.nl/visit/directions/?lang=en
Note: Coin access toilets are available on the basement level of the Visitors Center.
I Becoming Dutch 