The+Knights+Hall+(Ridderzaal)

=The Knights Hall (Ridderzaal)=

What's There Today
The Knights Hall, also known as Ridderzaal, is located in the Hague. In the 13th century, Floris IV bought a piece of land next to a small lake. The Ridderzaal was built on the estate in the 13th century as a manor for Floris V, grandson of Floris IV. Over centuries, the government built buildings around the lake and incorporated the Ridderzaal.

The Ridderzaal was the venue for the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference in 1914. It was held from August 23 to November 2. The representatives of the Netherlands, the Republic of Indonesia and the BFO (Federal Consultative Assembly) were there. The conference ended with the Netherlands agreeing to transfer sovereignty to the Unites States of Indonesia. Another event that happened there, and still happens there, is the speech from the throne. The Dutch monarch and Duchess ride in a golden coach to the Ridderzaal. The Dutch monarch then gives a speech to parliament. This is held annually but could happen more or less frequently if they wished.

The Ridderzaal was restored between 1898 and 1904 to serve its present purposes. The Ridderzaal is used for the state opening of Parliament, when the Dutch monarch delivers the speech from the throne. It is also used for official royal receptions and interparliamentary conferences.