Paleis het Loo

The Oranges lived and worked at Paleis Het Loo (Palace 'Het Loo') for more than 300 years. It was a real 'outdoors' and was used as a hunting and holiday residence. The Oranges welcomed their guests here for entertainment and business. for that reason a lot of attention was paid to the gardens and stables. The horses had princely accommodations in the stables, near the coach houses with the coaches, cars and sleds. People paraded in the palace gardens, while exotic flowers and plants were admired. A rich an regal past that still shows at Paleis Het Loo.

The gardens of Paleis Het Loo used to undergo regular shape alterations. In the French era, Lodewijk Napoleon lived at Het Loo. He had the gardens covered with a large layer of sand and had it made into an English landscape park. At a later stage the gardens were brought back into the style of the baroque Dutch garden after the original design from the era of King-Stadholder Willem III and his wife Mary Stuart II, the founders and first residents of Paleis Het Loo. A symmetrical garden with many parterres, impressive fountains and historical planting. Historical yet also contemporary flowers provide atmosphere to the palace gardens through each season.

Contemporary art is also shown in the palace garden; architect Daniel Libeskind designed four contemporary sculptures that form a gripping contrast with the baroque garden.

The gardens of Paleis Het Loo rank among the most beautiful in Europe!