History Of The Hague: Freedom Stories and Peace Tours

Den Haag might be known for its international courts and royal buildings, but the real story goes much deeper. The history of The Hague is full of powerful moments where people stood up for freedom, fought injustice and rebuilt after conflict.

Any visit to The Hague should include time to understand what sets the city apart. Known around the world as a centre for international justice and peace efforts, it’s also the political heart of the Netherlands.

A great way to tread through The Hague’s past is by visiting some of its stately museums and cultural sites. Certified guides can bring to life the resistance history, take you on peace-focused tours, or just help you understand what makes The Hague tick. From global institutions to local history, the city of The Hague offers plenty to explore, so let’s get started!

Brief History of the Hague

History of The Hague Timeline

• 1568–1648 – Eighty Years War, which was a Dutch fight for independence from Spain.
• 1899 – The first Hague Peace Conference
• 1913 (28 August) – The Peace Palace officially opened in The Hague as the international symbol of peace and justice.
• 1915 – The first Women’s Peace Conference
• 1945 (3 March) – The accidental bombing of the Bezuidenhout district in The Hague by Allied forces caused major civilian casualties.
• 1945 (2 September) – World War II officially ended. The Netherlands regained its freedom, which continues to be commemorated each year.
• 1945–1949 – The Dutch-Indonesian War began after Indonesia declared independence. The Netherlands formally recognised Indonesian sovereignty in 1949.
• 1946 – United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) headquartered in the Peace Palace.
• 1980s – Widespread protests erupted, especially against nuclear weapons and agricultural policies.
• 1991 – The Cold War came to an end, marking a shift in international relations, including for the Netherlands.
• 1998 – Europol established in The Hague
• 2003 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in The Hague.

Discover Freedom Stories In The Hague

I’ve been to The Hague a few times now, and it’s a city that I just feel comfortable in, and there are so many stories of freedom to uncover. In this blog, I’ll highlight:

• activities to discover freedom stories
• suggested tours in The Hague
• how to plan your trip

MY TOP TIPS`: If you are planning a trip to The Hague, I recommend booking a Freedom Walking Tour of The Hague. Also, check out these relevant blogs: 2 Days In The Hague Itinerary, History Of Rotterdam Tours and Sustainable Guide to Amsterdam

Visit the International Zone

The International Zone in The Hague is built on the remains of the Atlantic Wall, a massive defence line constructed by Nazi Germany during World War II. In The Hague, the wall cut through neighbourhoods, leading to the demolition of thousands of homes. What was once a symbol of occupation and division has since transformed into a space devoted to peace, legal order, and international cooperation.

This area’s legacy dates back to the first Hague Peace Conference in 1899. Since then, it has evolved into a true “International City of Peace and Justice,” now home to over 500 institutions focused on law, human rights, and security. This is where you will find the Peace Palace, the International Criminal Court (ICC), Europol, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the former International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). 

While most buildings are off-limits, visitors can join guided tours at the Peace Palace or attend public hearings at the ICC to better understand how international justice functions today.

Take A Tour Of the Peace Palace

The Peace Palace in The Hague is one of the most iconic landmarks in international law. Opened in 1913, it houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and other key legal institutions. It’s a place where global disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than conflict.

Guided tours offer a privileged view inside this working building, with access to the Great Hall of Justice, ornate stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and symbolic gifts from around the world. Some of the donations were quite impressive!

While security restrictions mean tours are only available on select dates, the visitor centre is open regularly and free to enter. Interactive exhibitions explain the history of the Peace Palace, key legal cases, and the broader role of The Hague as the “City of Peace and Justice.” It’s worth checking the schedule in advance if you want to step inside this remarkable space that represents hope for international cooperation.

|| VISIT the Peace Palace Website for tour availability and booking

History of Haagse Bos

Haagse Bos, or The Hague Forest, is one of the oldest in the Netherlands, dating back to Roman times. Sitting between the city centre and Wassenaar, it once formed part of a vast woodland across the region.

During the Eighty Years’ War, large parts of the Haagse Bos were cleared to build wooden fortifications.

The forest might have vanished completely if not for a royal order that saved it from being chopped down. Thanks to the 1576 ‘Act of Redemption’, an early conservation law that banned cutting down or selling the trees, this green space was preserved and remains a peaceful sanctuary right in the centre of the The Hague.

The Germans built part of the Atlantic Wall during WWII right through the forest and used it to launch V2 rockets. In 1945, the British tried to bomb the launch sites but missed, tragically hitting the nearby Bezuidenhout district.

As you explore the trails now, you’ll spot signs of that historical recreation and defence. Former anti-tank trenches turned into streams, a swastika carved into a tree, and wide paths once used by the royal family cycling from Huis ten Bosch Palace.

|| For history tours in the Hague’s Forest, take a ranger guide from Staatsbosbeheer or a self-guided history tour of the Bezuidenhout district.

|| READ ABOUT ROTTERDAM HISTORY AND MIGRATION TOURS

Visit the OranjeHotel Museum

The “Oranjehotel” was the nickname given to the Scheveningen prison in The Hague during World War II. From 1940 to 1945, more than 25,000 people were imprisoned there by the German occupiers. Resistance fighters, Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others accused of breaking Nazi laws were held in its cells, often awaiting interrogation or worse.

The prison closed in 2009 and reopened in 2019 as the National Monument Oranjehotel. You can walk through original cells, including the haunting Cell 601, used as a death cell, and learn about the lives of those who were imprisoned here.

The OranjeHotel is a powerful and moving place to visit. The exhibits tell real stories of bravery and political imprisonment that are hard to read.

|| BOOK TICKETS FOR ORANJEHOTEL NATIONAL MONUMENT

Find Thought-Provoking Statues around The Hague

Public statues in the city powerfully nod to the complex history of Rotterdam. Here are some of my favourites spotted in the city:

• The Plein 1813 Monument commemorates the 1813 restoration of Dutch independence after the Napoleonic era. This marks the founding of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• The statue of Johan de Witt near the Hofvijver honours the 17th-century Dutch statesman who was brutally murdered in 1672, highlighting a turbulent chapter in Dutch political history.
• The Queen Wilhelmina Monument pays tribute to the Dutch monarch known for her leadership during both World Wars.
• The statue of William the Silent on The Hague’s Binnenhof is the oldest freestanding statue in the Netherlands, honouring the leader of the Dutch Revolt and founding father of the Dutch Republic.

More Freedom-Inspired Activities in The Hague

To explore the subject of freedom in De Haag in more detail, you may wish to add these places to your itinerary;

• The Indisch Herinneringscentrum (IHC), located in The Hague’s Museum Sophiahof, is a centre dedicated to exploring the shared history of the Netherlands and Indonesia, with a focus on the Dutch East Indies period. It serves as a space for education, remembrance, and dialogue, highlighting the complex narratives of colonialism, war, and migration.
• Dutch House of Representatives – Take a guided tour to understand the Dutch political system. Learn about the history of the House and the current renovation of the Binnenhof, the medieval complex of parliament buildings.

Thank you to Visit Netherlands for making this trip possible and supporting the creation of this guide to help travellers explore the history of The Hague. All opinions and words are entirely my own.

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