Ministerie van Koloniën, Den Haag, Government monument at Plein 1, The Hague, Netherlands.
The Ministerie van Koloniën is a three-story building on Plein 1 with rectangular windows and iron columns topped by palm leaf capitals. Profiled water bands divide the facade, giving it a classical appearance.
Built between 1859 and 1861 by architect Willem Rose, it was the first building in the Netherlands specifically designed to house a ministry. This construction marked a turning point in how the government approached specialized administrative architecture.
The Regentenkamer displays 66 portraits of Governors-General from the Dutch East Indies along its walls. Ceiling decorations with coats of arms from Batavia and Makassar reflect the colonial past that shaped this ministry.
The building is part of the Dutch Parliament complex and houses government offices and meeting rooms today. Visitors should note that some areas have restricted access and advance arrangements may be needed.
During 1981 restoration work, laborers discovered a hidden 1618 inscription by Jan Pieterszoon Coen above the main entrance. This concealed message had remained unseen for centuries, revealing connections to the colonial era.
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