Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, Hague (must see)

In 1631, John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, Bought a plot of land next to the Binnenhof and built there a house which he called the Mauritshuis. The building was designed by architects Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post. Prince John was at the time Governor of Dutch Brazil. Most of his wealth, it is said, was tied up in slaves.

Mauritshuis was a two story building containing four apartments and one great hall. Prince John passed in 1679 and ownership of Mauritshuis went to the Maes family who let the house to the government. In 1820 the house was purchased by the state to hold the Royal Cabinet of Paintings and the Royal Cabinet of Rarities.

The Maurithuis became privatized in 1995. The building and the collection are today administered by a foundation. In 2007 the museum expanded into two buildings connected by a tunnel.

The Collection of William V, Prince of Orange, was a group of 200 paintings called the Royal Picture Gallery. At present, the collection holds nearly 800 paintings. Some of the artists featured are: Pieter Brueghel, Paulus Potter, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Rogier van der Weyden and Hans Holbein, and many others.

Private tours are available and there is also a stunning virtual tour available on line. The Mauritshuis is home to many of the best paintings of Holland's golden age of art.