Binnenhof

The Binnenhof, or Inner Court, houses the meeting place of both houses of the States General of the Netherlands, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Built primarily in the 13th century, the Gothic castle originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland and became the political centre of the Dutch Republic in 1584. The Binnenhof is among the oldest Parliament buildings in the world still in use.

Little is known about the origin of the Binnenhof. Presumably, the grounds next to the Hofvijver lake, and the small homestead on it, were purchased by Count Floris IV of Holland in 1229. Between 1230 and 1234 he had the homestead expanded to a small keep.

Between 1248 and 1280, his son had the Ridderzaal ('Knights' Hall') built. To its left and right, walls were built, which divided the area in front of the building from that behind it. Both walls had a gate. At the end of the wall on the left, near the Hofvijver, the court chapel was built, and near that the Ridderhuis ('Knights' House') where visiting knights were sheltered.