Mauritshuis Museum | The Hague

The Mauritshuis is a world-renowned art museum located at Plein 29 in the center of The Hague, situated directly next to the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver pond.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a 17th-century city palace, a premier example of Dutch Classicist architecture. Designed by Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post, the building features a symmetrical facade with classical pilasters and pediments. The interior is characterized by its intimate, palatial atmosphere, featuring silken wall coverings, monumental painted ceilings, ornate fireplaces, and sparkling chandeliers. A modern underground foyer connects the historic palace to the Royal Dutch Shell Wing.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag.

Public Transport: A 10-minute walk from Den Haag Centraal station. Trams 16 or 17 (one stop away) or Trams 1 and 9 (from Den Haag Hollands Spoor) stop within a short walking distance.

Parking: The Pleingarage is located directly next to the museum; Interparking Museumkwartier is also nearby.

Accessibility: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Built between 1633 and 1644, it was originally the residence of Count John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen, former governor of Dutch Brazil. The Dutch state acquired the building in 1820 to house the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, and it opened as a public museum in 1822. The museum has recently addressed the controversial colonial history of its founder through educational exhibits.

Key Highlights & Activities

Masterpieces: Home to Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, and Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch.

Prince William V Gallery: Your ticket includes admission to this nearby gallery (Buitenhof 33), the first public museum in the Netherlands, which displays over 150 Old Master paintings in a lavish 18th-century setting.

Multimedia Tours: A free app provides themed audio tours and behind-the-scenes stories about the conservation of the paintings.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Brasserie Mauritshuis: Offers modern lunch dishes and traditional delicacies from The Hague.

Museum Shop: Located in the new wing, specializing in high-quality art books and collection-inspired gifts.

Cloakroom: Free use of lockers (requires a €0.50 coin deposit) and a cloakroom for coats and small bags. Large luggage and umbrellas are not permitted inside the galleries.

Cashless: The museum operates on a cashless basis.

Best Time to Visit

Hours: Monday (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), Tuesday to Sunday (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM).

Avoid Crowds: The museum is typically quieter after 3:00 PM on weekdays.

Photography: Flash photography and tripods are prohibited, but non-flash photography is encouraged.

Nearby Landmarks

Binnenhof – 0.05km West (Parliament complex)

Historical Museum of The Hague – 0.1km North

Escher in The Palace – 0.4km North

Noordeinde Palace – 0.6km Northwest

Mauritshuis Official Website