Do you know the gruesome story of the De Witt brothers and the Disaster Year? Have you ever been inside an ancient prison? Have you met our jailer, the executioner or the judge?
Experience what it used to be like to be locked up, interrogated and punished. Visit the cold cells where hardly any light reaches, even in summer. Imagine what it was like to be stuck there. With a visit to the Torture Chamber in prospect...
The Prison Gate is the most exciting outing in The Hague, for young and old. Do you dare?
- Visit this famous building that is intertwined with Dutch history
- Discover the medieval prison with cells for rich and poor
- See the National Collection of Instruments of Torture and Punishment
- Free audio tour (Dutch, English, German) and daily guided tours
- Visit: approx. 1 – 1.5 hours
- An experience for young and old!
The story of the Prison Gate
This building was once the main gate to the castle of the Counts of Holland, the Binnenhof (now the Houses of Parliament). In the 15th century, the medieval gate became the most important prison of the powerful Court of Holland. Later, the gate was expanded with the Gaols (jail cells) and the Court House.
Suspects were incarcerated in the dark Gaols. Here they waited to be interrogated and sentenced. It was in the Torture Chamber that they were made to confess. The sentence was carried out after the court made a judgement, if possible with a large audience.
Famous Dutchmen such as Cornelis de Witt and Dirk Volckertszoon Coornhert were incarcerated in the Prison Gate. They stayed in their own luxury cell, known as the Ridderkamer or Knights’ Chamber. From the Lady's Room you looked out over the Hofvijver and city life.
Since 1882, the Prison Gate has been a state museum and home to the national collection of instruments of punishment and torture. The Prison Gate Museum in The Hague tells the story of crime and punishment from the 15th to the 19th century. Four centuries of imprisonment, interrogation and punishment.
Discover the blood-curdling stories at the very place where history was written
- Less suitable for young children (under 8 years old)
- Not suitable for disabled people (many stairs)
- Book a guided tour separately
Guided tours
There are daily tours of the cell complex by expert guides. Read more.
