Johan van Oldenbarneveld was grand pensionary of Holland from 1586 to 1619. As a top civil servant and financial and legal advisor, he was the most important administrator in the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. He was previously pensionary of Rotterdam from 1576 to 1586.

We pass the most beloved sculpture in The Hague: Haags Jantje! Hague Jantje points to the parliament buildings of the Binnenhof, which we will visit later in our walk. The statue was made in bronze by sculptor Ivo Coljé and was placed on the Hofvijver in 1976.

We pass 'Escher in the palace' at Lange Voorhout 74. The small, 18th-century palace showcases the work of M.C. Escher (1898-1972) exhibition. Escher is the Dutch graphic artist who makes water flow upwards, turns birds into fish and lets hands draw each other.

The treasurer of King Willem III, Baron Van Brienen, had this building on the stately Lange Voorhout built as a city palace in 1858. He chose this location because, in addition to his estate, he also wanted a stately home for parties in the city centre of The Hague.

We walk past the building where the Senate of the States General, or Senate for short, is located. Together with the House of Representatives, they form the Dutch States General, where all bills in the Netherlands are discussed and - whether or not - approved.

Because the marriage of the couple Guillaume and Elisabeth Groen van Prinsterer-Van der Hoop remained childless, Elisabeth, or Betsy, was able to put a lot of energy into improving the lot of the less fortunate. Together with Caroline de Clerq-Boissevain, she founded a sewing school in 1831, not only to teach poor girls a skill with which they could later earn a living, but 'first and foremost to introduce them to religion'.

We walk past the Council of State building. The Council of State is an independent advisor to the government and parliament on legislation and administration and the highest general administrative court in the country.

We pass Kneuterdijk Palace, without a doubt one of the most unknown gems in the historic city centre of The Hague. Designed in 1717 by the famous French architect Daniël Marot, the city palace was given a royal touch in 1816 when William II and his wife Anna Pavlovna moved in. King Willem III also lived there and Princess Juliana had her office there.

Noordeinde Palace has always been the centre of important events in the life of the royal family. For example, Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard and Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien were married from this palace. Wilhelmina and Juliana were born there. After their death, Queen Juliana (2004) and Princes Hendrik (1934), Claus (2002) and Bernhard (2004) lay in state here. King William III, his second wife Queen Mother Emma and Queen Wilhelmina all lived at Noordeinde Palace.