Haagse Dierentuin, Former zoological garden in The Hague, Netherlands
Haagse Dierentuin was a zoological and botanical garden in The Hague with animal enclosures, greenhouses, and walking paths arranged around ponds between Benoordenhoutseweg and Koningskade. The layout allowed visitors to move through different zones while observing both animals and cultivated plants.
The garden opened in 1863 under the direction of Dr. L.H. Verwey as a new kind of public space. It continued to function for 80 years until German forces closed it in 1943 to begin construction of the Atlantic Wall.
The zoo allowed women to hold independent memberships with voting rights, a practice that set it apart from other social institutions of that era. This inclusive approach shaped how people experienced and engaged with the place as a shared public space.
The site now hosts government buildings, making public access limited to certain areas. Commemorative statues of an owl, eagle, and puma serve as markers where visitors can locate former sections of the garden.
Dutch painter Isaac Israels spent time at the garden and created numerous works there, including his painting 'The Parrotman' which depicted life at the zoo. The artist's connection to the place reveals how deeply it was woven into the city's cultural life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
