The Kurhaus

This luxury hotel has a rich history that dates back to 1818. That year Jacob Pronk built a wooden building on a dune near the sea, from where people could bathe from 4 separate rooms. It marked the start of Scheveningen as a bathing place. Since then, Scheveningen has attracted numerous tourists from all over Europe, notably from Germany. Here you can read about all the development steps that mark the building of this monument. It now takes a central place on the promenade of Scheveningen.

More photos can be found on the hotel website, especially in the history section.

Italian feeling!

There's an Italian side to some streets from the old city centre of The Hague, here the Hooistraat. De street derives its name from the "hooi" or hay that boats were allowed to unload. Many horse stables were located in the area, as well as the military barracks of the House of Orange.

At the end, the yellow building is the Hotel des Indes.

Walking in the sand....

Nice song from a French singer "Marcher dans le sable".....

50 facts over the Hague

I just found this book compiling 50 historical facts that occurred in the city of the Hague between 1234 and 1981, "50 stories that anyone who lives in the Hague should know". I have not found any English translation for our international residents.

I started to read it and realized how little I knew about my city....Think of your own city. Would you be able to name even 20 historical facts? For sure this book will inspire me to discover more about the Hague and share it with you.

Lighthouse

How can I have this blog for over half a year, and not have shown the lighthouse of Scheveningen, one of the landmarks of the city!! This red 12-sided cast-iron tower is 49m high. It became operational in 1875. It is still in use now, and can also be visited on Wednesday's and Saturday's. More photos of the view you have from the top here.

Dog policy

There are strict rules in The Hague one must follows regarding dogs:

* Dogs are only allowed on the beach from 1 October to 15 May (except two locations on the Zwarte pad and close to Kwartellaan).
* They must be kept on a leash at all times in the city except in some designated free-run areas.
* A new "clean up after your dog, everywhere, and take a bag with you” policy, in force for two years now, with potential fine for owners of up to €75 (€50 if a dog owner cannot present the mandatory “pooper-scooper”.

Has dog poop vanished from the city streets? Well not entirely, but it could be worse....

Kite jumping!

Snow this morning, wind and sunshine this afternoon. Not many kite surfers dared to brave the waves and the cold waters (6,9ºc). I could only spot 2 of them. Do enlarge the picture by clicking on it, and enjoy the height of that jump, it was impressive to see, well nearly as impressive as on this video.

Nicest square of the Hague

Jan P. Sweelinck (1562-1621), componist, organist of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam. This is what can be read under this beautiful statue posted in Sweelinckplein, to me the nicest square of the city. It has a charateristic oval shape, and is the living centre of the Duinoord district. Around this square, many protected historical monuments (about 50!!), all built around the beginning of 1900. An association of residents was even created to ensure the conservation of this place. More photos can be found on their website.

Happy Easter!

I have not seen many chocolate pictures today on CDP portal. Here is the chocolate bunny that was left by Mr Easter Bunny in our garden for the kids to celebrate Easter.

Easter Bunnies!!!!

The Easter Bunny is a rabbit who brings gifts and candy to children on the Easter holiday. It has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season. The children believed that if they were good the "Easter Bunny" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

I saw those ones this morning in the Reinkenstraat playing music for the kids and distributing tulips to the parents (!). They probably watched this video and tried to replicate the rhythm!

Mystery building

I have not managed to find the story behind this building situated on the Kerkplein. Why are they coats of arms from countries, as well as a statue that looks like a symbol of death? Does anybody have an idea what it could relate to?

Little storks of The Hague

If you remember my stork serie last month, you'll know that the stork is the symbol the Hague. I found yesterday in a pastry shop in the Reinkenstraat a very nice small paper box containing some small very buttery cookies, called the "littles storks of the Hague". This small pastry has been created by the Hessing family who happens to be very famous for having created and baked several bread and pastry specialties for the city!

Local Paper

As its name indicates, the Scheveningshe Courant is the weekly paper of Scheveningen. Every Wednesday, 23.000 copies are freely distributed in one's mailbox in the local neighborhoods of Scheveningen, Belgisch Park, Duindorp, Duttendel, Geuzenkwartier, Renbaankwartier, Van Stolkpark, Wittebrug.

Local news, building permits, future developments of the harbour, any local news item finds its way into this paper which exists since 1887!

Puss in Boots in Westbroekpark

If you live in Europe, you probably know the story of the "Puss in Boots". As a child, I could read the fairy tales from Charles Perrault or the Grimm brothers for hours. I wonder whether those fairy tales have also found their way to America and Asia... Among my favorites: Little Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, Cinderella.

The photo shows one of the many statues you can find in Westbroekpark, here a bronze from Johan Keller. Isn't it very elegant?

What kind of duck is this bird?

Given my non-existent knowledge in ornithology, could anyone tell me what the name of this duck is? It is a common view in the parks of The Hague, here in Zuiderpark.

Update: Thanks to Wassenaar DP, I can now tell you that this is an Egyptian goose!

Just married!

Have you ever been so proud of your wedding day to have a go and paint your car to spread the word? Probably they are thinking of painting their car black afterwards, or is this the result of a "nice" joke from "good" friends?

Not summer yet

Despite people working hard at the moment on the beach places so that they can open for Easter week end next week, the canal boats in the city centre are not so popular yet. The good weather has not arrived yet (provided it ever comes this year!).

Green zone

This quiet park is situated in the Benoordenhout neighborhood (North-East of the city), on the Jozef Israëlsplein. At the end, a monument to Queen Emma designed in 1936 by the Belgian artist Toon Dupuis and the architect Co Brandes (1884-1955) On the sides some white benches unfortunately tagged with graffiti.

Wonderful colors!

No, be reassured, this is not a stained glass window in a contemporary church, but one in the building of the "Bijenkorf" department store, designed by the famous Dutch architect Piet Kramer, and built in 1926. It is a perfect example of the "Amsterdam School" style of architecture. You can find those beautiful stained glass windows in the main staircase, a different one at each level. I found other photos for you on this blog.

Examples of new architecture

On this picture, different examples of Dutch architecture found in the centre of The Hague in the Laakkade, Southside of the citycentre. Different levels of housing from flats to individual houses. Not the traditional picture of nice and romantic red brick houses! Note the number of dishes on the balconies of the flats, displaying the number of foreigners living in them.

Stormy weather

This morning I went again to one of my favorites spots in the city, ie the beach, though the wind was blowing 80 km/h. All the shells are building small hillocks of sand, fighting not to get blown off. This blustering wind will be getting stronger tomorrow, and I'm thinking of all the beach places that are being built at the moment to be ready for the opening of the summer season. Let's hope for not too many damages in the coming hours!

Holiday feeling

The lake from Annecy lays 950kms South of The Hague in the French Savoy Alps, and is easily reachable by plane from Geneva. It is the second largest lake in France (after the Bourget lake). It is said to be "Europe's cleanest lake" because of strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s. It is a popular tourist destination known for its swimming and water sports.

It is a stunning setting that combines beautiful mountains views with the feeling of a seaside resort. I spent there a great week in a wooden chalet, reading (we had no TV and obviously no Internet), walking, and eating lots of tartiflette, a local favourite in all the restaurants. Kids enjoyed it a lot as well as the proximity of family ski resorts allowed them to go sledging and build snowmen.

Month theme : " Graffiti or street mural"

This is actually not a street mural, but rather street art. It reflects what is happening in the city a lot, that I already mentioned in earlier posts: use the kids to draw and paint some art on wooden panels sometimes to prevent squatters and other unwanted people to hang around in an empty place, or like here in the Tasmanstraat, to have them show their own vision on things. On this waste ground (former school site), behind a parking lot, kids from three primary schools of the neighborhood have been asked to paint their representation of a tree on 40 wooden panels. This "kunstbos" or "artwoods" will remain until 2009 when a new real estate development will start.

More photos here.

The Hague Daily Photo is heading South for a week in the Alps, so I'll see you again next Sunday. Have a great week enjoying photos from around the world.

144 cities will participate this month in this Theme Day, so please please, take some time to visit some of the following cities listed below:

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,