Old Town Hall

From the Middle Ages The Hague has consisted of two parts, each with a character all of its own: the earl’s Court with the prosperous areas around Hofvijver and Lange Voorhout, and the village of Die Haeghe, around the Grote Kerk and the town hall, where the commoners lived.

The town hall, built on the cellars of the medieval Hof van Brederode, is one of the first examples of the Renaissance in the north of Holland. The richly decorated facade features the maxim: ‘Ne Jupiter Quidem Omnibus’ - even Jupiter cannot please everyone. The sculptures above the middle represent Justice and Caution, with the stork of The Hague and a Latin maxim which, freely translated, means ‘one man’s fault is another man’s lesson’. The building was restored between 1968 and 1975 and a council chamber was added. These days the former town hall is only used for marrying people.

Address & contact

Old Town Hall
Grote Halstraat 1
2513 AX Den Haag