The Prison Gate Museum (Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort) is an iconic landmark in The Hague, beautifully situated by the Hofvijver. In medieaval times, this building served as the imposing entrance gate to the Binnenhof. Several centuries later, it became a prison and courthouse of the powerful Court of Holland. Here suspected criminals awaited trial and debtors were imprisoned. Today the museum tells the captivating story of crime and punishment in the past.
Here you can see and experience how people were treated in former times when being accused of criminal behaviour. What did their cells look like? Was there a difference between poor and rich prisoners? Where did they hear their verdict? And which punishments were given? Some important moments in Dutch history took place here, such as the murder of the brothers De Witt in 1672. The Prison Gate Museum opened its doors in 1882. Ever since, it has been home to the biggest collection of instruments of punishment and torture in the Netherlands.
