The Needle, Historic obelisk in Rijswijk Woods, Netherlands.
The Needle is a stone obelisk located in Rijswijk Woods at the former site of Huis ter Nieuwburg palace. The structure was constructed between 1792 and 1794 and stands along the woodland paths as a physical marker of the area's past.
The monument commemorates the Treaty of Rijswijk of 1697, when several European powers ended their conflicts after nine years of war. The obelisk was erected nearly a century later to mark this historical peace agreement at the actual location.
The monument was built using stones from the demolished Huis ter Nieuwburg palace, showing how builders recycled older structures in the 18th century. This reuse of materials was a deliberate way to keep the site's history alive.
The site is accessible via well-maintained paths through Rijswijk Woods and easy to reach. Best visit during dry weather, as the forest floor becomes muddy and slippery after rain.
The monument is the only remaining physical mark of the exact spot where peace negotiations took place in 1697. Many visitors do not realize they are standing where one of Europe's major peace agreements was actually negotiated.
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