Gevangenpoort
The Gevangenpoort , a former gate of the city fortifications of the The Hague residence , is located in the north of the Buitenhof.
Today the restored building houses the Museum of City History and Historical Legal Studies. It was declared a Rijksmonument .
In 1296 the building was erected as the gate and guardroom of the Count's Castle ( Binnenhof ). A prison and a count's compulsory court were established here in the 15th century. Mainly political and prominent prisoners were interned in the dungeons and torture chambers and subjected to "extremely embarrassing questioning".
In 1672 the brothers Cornelis de Witt and Johan de Witt were here because of an alleged attack on Prince Wilhelm III. murdered. A monument to the north of the building commemorates Johan de Witts.
In the former cells and torture chambers , paintings, engravings and objects related to torture and the administration of justice can be seen today. In addition to stretching benches, beaters used in flogging, and various pliers and instruments, you can also view historical documents on the captivity of the de Witt brothers.
In a former outbuilding of the Gevangenpoort there is a collection of paintings belonging to the Mauritshuis Museum , the Schilderijengalerij Prins Willem V. Officially built as the reception salon of Prince Wilhelm V in 1773 , the building was open to the public on certain days of the year and is therefore considered the first museum of the Netherlands . In the style of the 17th and 18th centuries. it shows in its rooms, densely packed from ceiling to floor, Dutch painting of this time.
Web links
- Official website of Museum De Gevangenpoort (English, Dutch)
- Museum de Gevangenpoort In: denhaag.com (German)
- Museum "De Gevangenpoort" In: holland.com (German)
Coordinates: 52 ° 4 '46.83 " N , 4 ° 18' 37.21" O