The Hague

We decided on Sunday to go to The Hague.  By the time we got ready and went to Central Station, it was nearly 1 PM.  Took about 50 minutes to get there by train, so arrived around 2 PM.  Not a lot of time to see things.  Parliamentary buildings surround the old square as you walk into town from the train station.  

We grabbed some lunch at one of the cafes

and then went to find the visitors center.  We wanted to see the Palace of Justice and the lady directed us which way to walk or take the tram.  Enroute was another site we thought would be interesting and so decided to walk instead of tram.  The Lady said it was about a ten minute walk to the first site then another 10 to the Palace of Justice.  I JUST LOVE THESE 10 MINUTE WALKS.  Will I never learn.  Ha.  Along the walk and enroute to our first stop we enjoyed the scenery

stopped at a beautiul church which happened to be open.  

We didn't stay long, as the Priest was getting ready to close the doors.  He was kind to let us look around and take a few pictures.

Eventually we found our first destination at about 4:30.  

"Panorama Mesdag is a panorama by Hendrik Willem Mesdag. Housed in a purpose-built museum in The Hague, the panorama is a cylindrical painting (also known as a Cyclorama) more than 14 metres high and about 40 metres in diameter (120 metres in circumference). From an observation gallery in the centre of the room the cylindrical perspective creates the illusion that the viewer is on a high sand dune overlooking the sea, beaches and village of Scheveningen in the late 19th century. A foreground of fake terrain around the viewing gallery hides the base of the painting and makes the illusion more convincing".

"Mesdag was a notable marine painter of the Hague School; in 1880 he was engaged by a Belgian company to paint the panorama, which with the assistance of his wife and many student painters, was completed by 1881. However, the vogue for panoramas was coming to an end, and the company went bankrupt in 1886. Mesdag purchased the panorama and met its losses from his own pocket. The panorama is now the oldest surviving panorama in its original location".

This panorama was amazing.  All one painting.  You just stand in the middle of the platform and every way you look is this panorama.  It's like you are on a huge sand dune overlooking the city and the shore.  If you want to see the entire panorama go to this website.  panorama-mesdag.com/ 

This museum closed at 5:00 so we were lucky to get there in time to see it.  We went to catch the tram to the Palace of Justice.  Turns out it was just around the corner from the tram station.  Ha.  So much for the 10 minute walk.  Oh well, our ticket will also get us back to the square near the train station.

The Palace of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial arm of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.

The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York City.

What a beautiful building

Unfortunately, by the time we arrived it had closed for the day, so we were unable to get into the gardens, but we took a few pictures through the fence

A wish tree

This was outside the fence.  The World Peace Flame.  Opened 27 April 2004.

Every country and region of the world united to build the World Peace Flame pathway and create a single declaration of peace - the first time in history that this has occurred.

The magnificent World Peace Flame Pathway was built around the Flame's monument in The Hague, Netherlands.

In July 1999 seven flames from five continents were united to create the World Peace Flame

 

This is the first time in history that every country (independent country as recognized by the United Nations in 2004) in the world has come together to make a statement for peace.

The World Peace Pathway.  In a moving display of cooperation and solidarity, embassies and foreign ministries from every country* and region of the world contributed stones indigenous and of significance to their nations. The stones represent their nation’s yearning for, and commitment to, peace. The resulting path includes contributions of 197 countries and regions, which could be said to represent the whole of humanity. region of the world contributed stones indigenous and of significance to their nations. The stones represent their nation’s yearning for, and commitment to, peace. The resulting path includes contributions of 197 countries and regions, which could be said to represent the whole of humanity.

Please add your prayer for peace as you walk the pathway

Each of the 196 Nations names are engraved alphabetically around the inside edge of the pathway.

We jumped on the tram and headed back to the square near the train station and decided to have a drink and dinner before the trip back to Amsterdam.  It was quite cool as it got dark, but the cafes all had heaters on the outside, so we were quite cosy and it was beautiful.

A really good Sunday afternoon.