Royal Destinations: Hofvijver at The Hague

Recently, the Allaboutroyalfamilies blog visited The Hague and we
had there a lovely city trip very close to The Hofvijver.
The Hofvijver - translated court pond - is an amazing beautiful
lake in the middle of The Hague in the Netherlands.

Hofvijver own picture taken in 2022

The term pond is actually a misnomer, as the Hofvijver has its origin in a
natural dune lake fed by the Haagse Beek (Hague Creek, originally Dunecreek)
and the, nowadays muted, Bosbeek (Forestcreek) from the Haagse Bos
(Hague Forest). The Haagse Beek still feeds the Hofvijver and so the
pond is directly connected to the dunes in Kijkduin.

In this dune lake there was an island (not the current island in the Hofvijver)
on which Willem II built his palace in 1248. Other sources say he built his
palace alongside the pond and created a moat around it. The city of The Hague
celebrated its 700 years of existence in 1948, suggesting that the city itself bases
its origin on the building of the palace by Willem II in 1248.

Willem II, Source picture: Wikipedia

Count Albert decided on the rectangular shape in the 14th century.
In the 17th century quays were constructed, and in the 19th century the
pond was elongated. Up to around 1800 the Binnenhof was still encircled
by a moat and was only accessible by bridges.

The island in the Vijverberg, as known in its present form, was only created
around 300 years ago. How or why it was created is unknown. In the centre
of the island stands a flagpole and the island itself counts a number of trees
and small plants. It is not open to the public. Alongside the island there is
a fountain set in the water. On a number of demonstrations the island
has been occupied, and there have been banners displayed on the island.

Source picture: Wikipedia

Nowadays the Hofvijver is adjoined in the west by the Buitenhof, but until
the 19th century that side was adjoined by houses. The pond is encircled by
fairly high quays, but is very shallow on some points. In 2004 an underwater
gate was built to make sure that nobody could swim to the prime minister's
office without being detected. His office, the Torentje ("Little Tower"),
adjoins the Hofvijver as it is located on the Binnenhof.

On the bank across from the Binnenhof (Lange Vijverberg) there is a statue of
Jantje (Little John) pointing to the Binnenhof. 'Jantje' probably refers to
John I, Count of Holland who died at the age of 15 years, and features in
a well known Dutch children's song about The Hague.

own picture taken in 2014

Located next to the Vijverberg are several museums, like the Mauritshuis,
the Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate), the Hague Historical Museum and the
Gallery Prince William V.