Departement van Justitie, Government building at Het Plein, Netherlands.
The Department of Justice is a government building at Het Plein in The Hague with four wings arranged around a central courtyard. Additional annexes create a second inner courtyard, expanding the overall footprint of the structure.
The building was constructed between 1876 and 1883, replacing the former residence of the poet and diplomat Constantijn Huygens. Elements from the original house were incorporated into the new design.
The main facade displays stone medallions carved with portraits of influential Dutch legal figures like Hugo de Groot and Johan Rudolph Thorbecke. These faces represent people who shaped the Dutch justice system and remain visible reminders of the nation's legal heritage.
The building houses meeting rooms for the Council of Ministers and High Council of Nobility, along with a library featuring a stained glass roof. Note that this is an active government building with limited public access.
The main facade features three prominent risalits decorated with fine architectural details and peaked tops that stand out visually. The central entrance is marked by an ornate portico with a tent-like roof structure that emphasizes the building's Renaissance Revival character.
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