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ItalianoBenelux monarchies
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are among Europe's few surviving monarchies.
Understand
[edit]While the Netherlands were an early republic during the Dutch Golden Age, the country has been a hereditary monarchy since 1815. The Dutch monarch, since 2013 King Willem-Alexander, is an inviolable member of the executive government.
Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy since the country's independence in 1830, ruled by King Philippe since 2013.
Luxembourg is ruled by Grand Duke Henri since 2000.
Map of Benelux monarchies
Destinations
[edit]Netherlands
[edit]- 1 Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis), Dam (Amsterdam/Binnenstad). The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It was built in 1651 as the city hall of Amsterdam.
- 2 Paleis Huis ten Bosch (The Hague). While the surrounding park is open, the palace itself is not open to visitors.
- 3 Paleis Noordeinde (Noordeinde Palace) (The Hague). This is the royal palace that King Willem-Alexander uses as his office. While the inside is not open to the public, the 17th-century façade can be seen from Noordeinde street, which also has a large number of art galleries.
- Kroondomein Het Loo (Het Loo Crown Domain). In total some 10,350 hectares (40.0 sq mi) of forest, heath, arable land and gardens belonging to the Dutch Royal family, about three quarters of which close to facilitate the King's controversial hunting during the months of September through to December. Within the domain are one of the few palaces of the Netherlands, a Late Medieval castle, as well as ornate gardens and other show-pieces, which belonged to the Royal family from 1684 to 1975 and have since been transferred to the Dutch state.
- 4 Paleis Het Loo (Het Loo Palace), Koninklijk Park 1, Apeldoorn (Bus 10, 102, 202 from Apeldoorn railway station; Entrance via Amersfoortseweg), ☏ +31 55 577 2400. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. Just northwest of the city is the 17th century Paleis Het Loo, bought by the Dutch Royal family in 1684. William III, King-Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic and the United Kingdom built out the old castle into a hunting estate, and was the home of the Dutch Royal family until 1975. A complete tour through the palace takes about 3 hours. Adults €14.50, 4-7 yrs old €5, families €35. Parking €5.
- 5 Het Oude Loo en Paleispark (The Old Loo and Palace Park), Koninklijk Park 17, Apeldoorn. Accessible for two months of the year, usually April/May. A fifteenth-century castle, bought by William III in 1684. The castle itself is not accessible to the public, though the Palace Park (Paleispark) can be visited for two months of the year, usually when the gardens are in bloom. The park features a statue pond, skittle alley and a hedge maze. Additionally, several smaller buildings such as a tea house and horse cemetery are found in the park.
- 6 Museum van de Kanselarij van de Nederlandse Ridderorden (Museum of the Chancellery of the Netherlands Knighthood), Koninklijk Park 1, Apeldoorn (In the east wing of the palace), ☏ +31 55 577 2400. A small museum documenting the Dutch Knighthood, its receivers over time, as well as foreign decorations.
- 4 Paleis Het Loo (Het Loo Palace), Koninklijk Park 1, Apeldoorn (Bus 10, 102, 202 from Apeldoorn railway station; Entrance via Amersfoortseweg), ☏ +31 55 577 2400. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. Just northwest of the city is the 17th century Paleis Het Loo, bought by the Dutch Royal family in 1684. William III, King-Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic and the United Kingdom built out the old castle into a hunting estate, and was the home of the Dutch Royal family until 1975. A complete tour through the palace takes about 3 hours. Adults €14.50, 4-7 yrs old €5, families €35. Parking €5.
Belgium
[edit]- 7 Royal Palace (Palais Royal/Koninklijk Paleis), Place des Palais/Paleizenplein (Brussels/Pentagon). The ceremonial royal palace, where foreign statesmen are received by the King of Belgium. Has a park out front.
- 8 Royal Castle of Laeken (Brussels/Heysel). The official residence of the King, famous for its Royal Greenhouses.
Luxembourg
[edit]- 9 Grand Ducal Palace (Luxembourg (city)). Fully restored during the 1990s. It also houses the Luxembourgish Parliament the Chamber of Deputies.
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