Lange Voorhout 78, The Hague

Lange Voorhout 78 is a protected monument featuring a 19th-century facade positioned next to the Escher Museum along one of The Hague's most architecturally significant streets. The building displays the classical style and proportions characteristic of Dutch residential architecture from that era.

The building entered royal ownership in 1871, initially serving as quarters for palace staff members. In the 20th century, it transitioned to housing refugees, then later became a grand master's residence before its ownership changed in 2015.

For decades, the building served as a refuge for elderly Russian émigrés who had fled their country and created a close community within its walls. The presence of these residents shaped the social character of the house in ways that remain part of its identity today.

The building sits on a major street in The Hague's city center, making it straightforward to visit while exploring nearby museums and landmarks. Walking along this avenue gives a good sense of the architectural heritage that defines the neighborhood.

Elderly Russian residents taught intelligence officers the Russian language on a regular basis, creating an unexpected connection between history and contemporary intelligence training. These interactions transformed the house into a living classroom of sorts.