Ridderzaal

The Knights' Hall ( Dutch: Ridderzaal ) in The Hague is a built in Gothic style building, which is primarily associated with the speech from the throne by the Dutch king. It forms the heart of the internal courtyard, a medieval building complex, in which plays almost the entire political life of the Netherlands.

History

Count Willem II gave the order for the construction of this planned as a festival hall building. 1248 began with the construction and 1280 was the hall of knights under Floris V., son of Willem II, completed. Gerard van Leyden is considered the architect of this building.

Over the centuries, the Knights' Hall was used for various purposes. For a time he was a count's palace, later the seat of the governor. In the first place strapless period under Johan de Witt the Knights' Hall served as the headquarters and meeting room of the Council retirees.

After the conquest of the Netherlands by Napoleon Bonaparte the city hall of Amsterdam was chosen as headquarters for the new King Louis Bonaparte. Thus, the Knights' Hall lost its purpose as a seat of government and was used among other things as stable, barracks and venue of lotteries.

In the 19th century the Knights' Hall came back to its heyday. It underwent extensive renovation causes, in which the original wooden roof from the 13th century, was reconstructed. Pierre Cuypers was built 1880 new spiers.

Since 1904, the Speech from the Throne by the Dutch Queen is held in the Great Hall. From June to October 1907, the Knights' Hall was the meeting of the Second Hague Peace Conference.

1994 and 1995 used the First Chamber, the Knight's Hall as the Chamber, since their premises were renovated at this time.

Since 2003, the Knights' Hall stands as Rijksmonument under monument protection.

Use

On the third Tuesday in September, the so-called Budget Day, the speech from the throne of the king in the Great Hall will take place. In this speech, he presented the government's program for the next year. Present at this speech are next to the king, the royal family, the Prime Minister, together with the cabinet, the members of the first and second chambers as well as the press and some special guests. The Budget Day is the event to which the Knight's Hall is now associated.

In addition, some smaller events are held throughout the year. Usually it involves state receptions and similar diplomatic events.

Building structure and equipment

The Gothic building has exterior walls of 1.20 m thickness and an impressive wooden roof. The roof at the highest point a height of 26 m, 38 m long and 17.80 m wide.

Striking in the great hall is mainly the throne of the Netherlands Queen Beatrix. Until the death of her husband Prince Claus was in the area even smaller throne for the prince consort. The windows are fitted with mosaic pictures, which gives a dark atmosphere together with the wooden roof of the room. On the side walls hang the flags of the twelve Dutch provinces.