Paleis Het Loo

Paleis Het Loo is a royal palace just outside Apeldoorn, and it is one of the finest examples of Dutch Baroque architecture and garden design. It was built in the 1680s for William III, the Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and his wife Mary, who would become joint monarchs of England, Scotland and Ireland after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The palace was designed as a hunting lodge and country residence, a place of retreat for a ruler who spent much of his time on war and politics.

The design is restrained but elegant. A central building with two curving wings opens onto a formal courtyard, with a symmetrical facade of brick and pale stone, and the interiors reflect the taste of the court. The architect was Jacob Roman, and the gardens were designed with the help of the French-born Daniel Marot, who created a layout of geometric parterres, fountains, statues and avenues in the manner of Versailles, but adapted to the Dutch flat landscape. The result is a world of ornamental order set within the wilder woods of the Veluwe.

Over the centuries the palace was used by members of the House of Orange-Nassau. It underwent alterations, and in the nineteenth century the interiors were modernised. The royal family used it for much of the twentieth century, and Queen Wilhelmina, who died here in 1962, was the last royal to live in the palace. It opened as a museum in the 1980s, and major restoration and extension work was completed in 2009, with a new underground wing for exhibitions.

Today visitors can walk through rooms restored to their historical appearance, with period furniture, paintings and objects that show how royals lived in different eras. The Baroque gardens have been recreated with great care, and in summer the fountains play. A coach house, a stable and a museum shop are also on site, and the palace hosts temporary exhibitions on art and history.

The palace is a popular outing for families and garden lovers. Allow half a day, check opening times, and buy tickets in advance for busy periods. It combines well with a walk in the royal estate and a visit to Apenheul or the town centre of Apeldoorn.