Permanent Collection
The Hague is unlike other Dutch cities. The Hague is the seat of government and the royal residence, but not the capital. The Hague has chic and even royal inhabitants, but also working class. The Hague has both historical and modern architecture, but also beaches and dunes. The diversity of this unique city comes to live in the The Hague Historical Museum. This museum is situated nearby the Binnenhof, at a corner of the Hofvijver pond.
A beautiful 'View of The Hague', painted by Jan van Goyen, illustrates the contradiction of a town ruled by both court and municipality. It is one of the few paintings where the town hall is the centre of attention. Besides various cityscapes the royal part of The Hague is told by paintings, silver and a severed tongue... The common aspect is explained by a collection of doll's houses that lead the visitor through stately homes, along shops and a kitchen to an almshouse.