Huygens' Hofwijck | The Hague

Huygens' Hofwijck is a 17th-century country estate and monument located on the Vliet canal in Voorburg, part of the Greater Hague area. It served as the summer residence for Constantijn Huygens, a prominent statesman and poet, and his son Christiaan Huygens, the renowned physicist and astronomer.

Visual Characteristics

The main house is a small, symmetrical square structure built in a classicist style, featuring red brickwork and white stone accents. It is surrounded by a "human-shaped" garden layout originally designed to reflect the proportions of a human body. The interior contains original 17th-century wood paneling, period furniture, and scientific instruments including telescopes and clocks.

Location & Access Logistics

The estate is located at Westeinde 2A in Voorburg, approximately 4km east of The Hague city center. It sits directly adjacent to the Voorburg railway station, which is served by regional trains and the RandstadRail Light Rail (Lines 3 and 4). Pedestrian access is via a bridge over the Vliet canal, and limited street parking is available in the surrounding historic center of Voorburg.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction was completed in 1642 based on a design collaborated on by Constantijn Huygens and the architect Jacob van Campen. The site was chosen for its position along the Vliet, a major water artery since Roman times. The garden was meticulously planned according to Vitruvian principles of harmony and proportion, reflecting the intellectual interests of the Huygens family.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the permanent exhibition "The Golden Age of the Huygens Family," which showcases Christiaan Huygens' discoveries regarding Saturn’s rings and the pendulum clock. Walking the restored Vitruvian gardens is a primary activity. The site also hosts temporary exhibitions related to 17th-century Dutch history and science.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum includes a small gift shop and an indoor reception area. Restrooms are available within the main building for visitors. 5G and 4G cellular signals are robust throughout the estate. While the house has no internal café, multiple restaurants and bakeries are located within 200 meters in the Herenstraat.

Best Time to Visit

The gardens are best viewed from late spring to early autumn when the hedges and orchards are in full leaf. Morning visits provide the best lighting for the facade facing the Vliet canal. The museum is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, making Wednesday through Sunday the operational window for interior access.

Facts & Legends

The name "Hofwijck" translates to "Avoiding the Court," reflecting Constantijn’s desire to escape the political pressures of the nearby Binnenhof in The Hague. A verified tip for visitors is to look for the original 17th-century icehouse on the grounds, which was used to store blocks of ice harvested from the canal for cooling food and drink during summer.

Nearby Landmarks

Swaensteyn Museum (0.4km East)

Oude Kerk Voorburg (0.3km East)

Park Middenburg (0.5km South)

Station Voorburg (0.1km North)

Vliet Canal Pathway (0.01km West)