The Hague is known internationally as the city of peace and diplomacy, as the famous Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) is located here. Built between 1907 and 1913, it is a building of incredible importance that houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Academy of International Law, and the Peace Palace Library. It is the tangible form of the constant search to bring justice and peace to the world. Almost ten years ago the palace received the "European Heritage Label".
History of the Peace Palace
In August 1898 the then Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II of Russia, put forward the proposal to reduce, if not stop, the then growing arms race that was taking place in European nations. He did this by sending a proposal to various governments to organize an international congress. His hope was to achieve disarmament and therefore peace. We cannot deny that this proposal aroused suspicion among the other guests, since the Russian tsar himself was the head of his huge army. It was only after the Americans accepted the invitation that the conference was finally organized in 1899 in the neutral territory of The Hague. Historians link the Russians' proposal to the fact that they were experiencing enormous difficulties in finding sufficient resources for armament. The proposal was not only to stop the arms race, but also to establish an organization for conflict arbitration. During the congress the idea of creating accommodation reserved for the Permanent Court of Arbitration was put forward. This is where the philanthropist magnate Andrew Carniege came into play who donated 3.7 million forints for the construction of the Temple of Peace, via his foundation "Carniege Foundation" (which still today deals with the management and direction of the Vredespaleis).
The building
On the occasion of the second Peace Conference in The Hague, the first stone of the building was laid on 30 July 1907. The architectural design was entrusted to the French architect Cordonnier, who won an international competition by presenting the idea of a Renaissance style building. To fit within the construction budget, the project had to undergo numerous changes: a job carried out together with his Dutch colleague Van der Steur. It was built with 1900 cubes of sandstone, which reached the construction site via a special railway line built ad hoc starting from the central station of The Hague. It is interesting to note how the final result is a mix of different architectural styles: Renaissance, Gothic, and Byzantine. A stylistic variety that wanted to reflect the ideal of harmony and global collaboration between different countries. The works were completed in 1913 and in the same year the building was inaugurated by the then Queen Wilhelmina.
The decorations
The creation of the Peace Palace is testimony to the mastery of the craftsmen and workers who took part in it. Of notable quality are in fact the marble and granite works (made by the Dutch sculptor William Retera - aided by 25 other sculptors), and the terracotta works around the courtyard windows (made by the famous Brouwers Aardewekfabriek), the decorations of the volutes and ceilings by Herman Rosse.
Opening to the public
The foundation that manages the building believes in the importance of society's involvement in understanding and supporting the different organizations committed to international justice. For this reason, guided tours are organized inside its rooms, the famous library, and the wonderful gardens. In particular, the latter are the representation of being able to take refuge in a quiet place: for visitors it is a clear invitation to reflect on the profound meanings of international justice and peace.
Want to find out when the Palace is open for a tour? Find out via the following link: click here to see the available dates.
Accessibility
L'accessibilità del Vredespaleis è limitata per i visitatori con passeggini, carrozzine, o deambulatori. Gli scooter per la mobilità non sono consentiti.