From 1428 to 1828, for 400 years, this building served as a place where many notable individuals were housed against their will in rather uncomfortable conditions. Today, it is known as the Prison Gate Museum, offering insights into what life was like for prisoners in The Hague, a Dutch city.
Originally, the jail was used for those who couldn’t pay their debts and for prisoners awaiting interrogation. Back in the 17th century, detention wasn’t considered a punishment, so people could stay in these dark, cramped cells for months without any specific reason. Additionally, many famous and noble individuals ended up here as punishment for plotting or engaging in espionage against the ruling House of Orange.
The first room you enter in the museum makes it very clear that all hope was often lost for those incarcerated here. The numerous instruments of torture on display indicate that the interrogation process could be even more brutal than the confinement in the tiny cells. It’s quite startling to think that The Hague is now known as the international city of peace and justice.
The Museum de Gevangenpoort in Den Haag is closed on Mondays but open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on other weekdays and from noon to 5:00 PM on weekends. The entrance fee is €7.50.