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POINT OF INTEREST

Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in the Palace)

Lange Voorhout 74, The Hague, NLD

Behind the 17th-century façade of this palace—formerly the winter home of Queen Emma of the Netherlands—lies a series of lavishly appointed rooms plus an ornate Art Nouveau staircase and stained-glass skylights. It’s also home to a startlingly eccentric collection of works of Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher.

The museum opened in 2002 with the world’s largest collection of Escher’s works, which seem to fit perfectly into Queen Emma’s opulent palace. Highlights include the vast woodcut Metamorphosis III as well as the In the Eye of Escher exhibition on the second story, with games focusing on perspective. The permanent displays include his early Italian landscapes, family portraits and many of his ingenious “impossible” optical illusion prints and woodcuts.

  • The museum is great for families, with scavenger hunts and workshops for kids in the school holidays.
  • On-site amenities include a museum store selling Escher-centric books and prints plus a café.
  • Free app-based audio-guides are available, as well as headphone rentals.
  • The entire palace is stroller- and wheelchair- accessible, but there's no accessible toilet.

The museum is located on the elegant boulevard of Lange Voorhout in The Hague. It's easy to get to via public transportation, with tram line #1 stopping at nearby Kneuterdijk and lines #15 and #16 stopping at Korte Voorhout. The Museumkwartier parking complex is three minutes away on foot.

The palace is open daily from Tuesday through Sunday, though visitors must arrive half an hour or longer after closing time to be let in. There’s also a special breakfast program on Sunday mornings; participating guests can come for breakfast followed by early entry into the museum. Check the website for the most up-to-date information on special exhibits and activities.

Many of The Hague's attractions are situated around the Museum Quarter, within walking distance of Het Paleis, making it possible to visit multiple highlights in one day. Popular options include the Museum Meermanno, which deals with the history of books; The Hague's Historic Museum, which focuses on the city; and the Museum Bredius, which displays European art in an 18th-century converted mansion.

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