Peace Palace | The Hague

The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is an international law institution located at Carnegieplein 2 in The Hague. It is the seat of the International Court of Justice (the principal judicial organ of the United Nations), the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Peace Palace Library, and the Hague Academy of International Law.

Visual Characteristics

The building is a Neo-Renaissance structure characterized by red brick, light-colored stone accents, and a prominent 80-meter-tall clock tower. The architecture blends various European styles to symbolize international unity. The interior features a grand entrance hall with a monumental staircase, stained-glass windows donated by various nations, and the "Great Hall of Justice" where international legal hearings occur.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag.

Public Transport: Reachable from Den Haag Centraal via Tram 1 or Bus 24 (Vredespaleis stop).

Visitor Center: Located at the main gate, providing free admission to a permanent exhibition.

Tours: Access to the palace interior is strictly limited to guided tours, which must be booked months in advance and only take place on specific weekends when the courts are not in session.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed between 1907 and 1913, the palace was funded by a $1.5 million donation from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The site was chosen following the first Hague Peace Conference in 1899. The surrounding gardens, designed by Thomas Mawson, utilize a "peace-through-nature" philosophy and feature rare flora donated by participating countries.

Key Highlights & Activities

World Peace Flame: An eternal flame located just outside the entrance gates, surrounded by stones from every country in the world.

Visitor Center Exhibition: Interactive displays detailing the history of the peace movement and the daily workings of the institutions within.

Guided Garden Tours: Occasionally offered during summer months, providing access to the historical landscape and exterior architecture.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Visitor Center includes a small museum shop and public restrooms. High-speed 5G coverage is available. Due to the high-security nature of the facility, large bags and professional photography equipment are restricted. The building is wheelchair accessible via designated ramps and elevators.

Best Time to Visit

Photography: The golden hour provides optimal light for the red-brick facade. The palace is best photographed from across the Carnegieplein.

Hours: The Visitor Center is generally open Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (subject to change). The palace gates remain closed to the public except for tour groups.

Facts & Legends

The Peace Palace is often called "the gift of nations" because many materials used in its construction were donated: the clock from Switzerland, wood from Brazil and the US, marble from Italy, and the wrought-iron gates from Germany. A technical oddity is that the Peace Palace Library is one of the world's most significant collections of international law, containing original manuscripts by Hugo Grotius.

Nearby Landmarks

Noordeinde Palace – 0.9km Southeast

The Mesdag Collection – 0.3km West

Panorama Mesdag – 0.5km East

Madurodam (Miniature Park) – 1.0km North

Scheveningen Woods – 0.6km North