The Hague’s Binnenhof (inner court) sits next to the Hofvijver (court pond), and began its life in the 1200s as a gothic palace for the counts of Holland – part of the holy roman empire at the time. These days it houses the Prime Minister’s office and the general meeting rooms of both houses of parliament. The new parliament is seated, but we’re still waiting for the government to be announced. It takes a while to reach agreement between the many parties with seats in parliament :-).
The tower is Delft’s Oude Kerk (old church, from the 13th & 14th centuries depending which part) as seen from the Prinsenhof, original location of the House of Orange which now bases itself in the Hague as the seat of NL’s heads of state. Below are various shots from Delft’s city center as well as the Royal Delft (porcelain) museum.
Delft Technical University’s Botanic Garden had a nature-themed sculpture exhibit placed in strategic locations along the paths and beds, when I visited Delft during the first week of my lovely stay-in-NL vacation last month.
(so much world, so little time....) 