Europe 2012- Day 4: Palace Het Loo

Sunday:

Nate and Dave got up early to go watch the race cars leave and Kristie went to the Cathedral just outside our apartment. She was hoping to hear some cool music and to see the inside of the church.

We finally managed to get going in search of Palace Het Loo, but it was already lunch time. I knew from my research that there was a restaurant at the palace, but we figured the prices would be rather high so we went into the town of Apeldoorn in search of some quick food.

The sign along the road is a sad face because there is 5 more km of road construction. As you get closer to the end the face becomes a full smile. This particular sign someone had drawn a mustache on.

 

After parking we discovered that there was a big beer festival going on in the city center. There were a few food stands though, one with pulled pork sandwiches which turned out to be pretty good. At that point it was 2 PM, and the palace was only open till 5 PM, so we hurried along our way.

We first got our tickets and then headed onto the grounds. The first thing you come to is a rather large and nice looking building. But it’s not the palace, this is just the stables for the horses and where they keep their carriages. 

1/3 of the carriage house.

I love the peacock carriage.

This one reminds me of Cinderella

Prince William Alexander's play car from 1969.

 

Finally we walked down a road through some trees to the palace entrance. The man at the gate took our tickets and told us where to enter the palace. We asked him about pictures since I had read many places that pictures inside the palace were forbidden. He said we could take pictures we just couldn’t use a flash.

The front entrance of Palace Het Loo

 

Once inside we had to check our backpack into a locker, and I once again asked about the pictures, and I got the same answer, just no flash. (I really didn’t want to get in trouble for taking pictures in a royal building) There were about 33 rooms that you are able to walk through, all very beautiful. I think this was the grandest palace or castle I’ve ever been in.

Palace Het Loo was built between 1684-1686 for King William III and Queen Mary II of England. It was used as the Dutch Royal palace until the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962. In 1960 she had declared that when she died the palace would got to the state, however if the monarchy is ever abolished is it supposed to be returned to her family. It has been open as a museum since 1984.

His Majesty's Old Dining Room

The New Dining Room

The Buffet Table in the New Dining Room

The Library

The Picture Gallery

Her Majesty's Bedroom : Mary II (1662-1695) Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Princess of Orange

Her Majesty's Closet

The Grand Staircase

The Great Hall

His Majesty's Closet

His Majesty's Bedroom: William III (1650-1702) King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Prince of Orange

This room was for Willem II (1792-1849) King of the Netherlands and Anna Paulovna (1795-1865) Queen of the Netherlands, and Grand Duchess of Russia

This room was for Sophie (1818-1877) Queen of the Netherlands, first Queen to Willem III (1817-1890) King of the Netherlands

Private Closet to William III (1650-1702) King of Great Britain, Ireland and Prince of Orange

The Bathroom was added in 1898 when Wilhelmina became Queen at the age of 18

Bedroom of Willem II (1817-1890) King of the Netherlands

Things from Queen Wilhelmina's Childhood

Dressing Room of Sophie (1818-1877) Queen of the Netherlands

Huntingroom of Hendrik (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands, husband of Wilhelmina (1880-1962), Queen of the Netherlands

Drawing Room

A Second Drawing Room

Painting of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands

Study of Queen Wilhelmina

Very Ornate Bible in the Chapel which is located inside the palace

By the time we were done inside we only had about 45 minutes before closing time, so we headed out to the garden. There are really three gardens, one large in the back and one on each side. The gardens were immaculate, with amazing fountains. Towards the back there were some colonnades you could go on top of to view the garden.

A view from Google Maps of Palace Het Loo. The carriage house is down the road to the left, not in the picture.

By the time we left we were getting hungry, but we decided to wait till we got back to Eindhoven to eat dinner.  After getting back we went to Trafalgar Pub for some Shepherd’s Pie. We were all good and hungry by the time our food came, but it was well worth the wait.

We topped off the weekend with a scoop of gelato and a walk around town.