Escher in Het Paleis

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The town palace on the Lange Voorhout was built in 1760–1764 to a design by Pieter de Swart as a residence for the politician Anthony Patras. It later belonged to the Hope banking family, and in 1811 Napoleon spent a night here while passing through.

In 1896 Queen Mother Emma bought the house, had it remodeled for official use, and from 1901 until her death in 1934 used it as her winter palace. Afterwards it served Queens Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix as a working palace; the royal family waved from the small balcony on the facade on Prinsjesdag. In 1990 the Royal House sold the building to the City of The Hague on the condition that it be used for cultural purposes.

In the 1990s the then Gemeentemuseum held changing exhibitions here as Museum Paleis Lange Voorhout. Since November 2002 the palace has been permanently dedicated to the graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898–1972). The Stichting Escher Collectie presents the city's Escher collection – together with Kunstmuseum Den Haag the largest museum collection of his work – with woodcuts, lithographs and drawings ranging from the early Italian landscapes to the famous optical illusions.

The interior features 15 chandeliers by Hans van Bentem and a parquet floor by Donald Judd in the ballroom. Temporary exhibitions link Escher with his contemporaries and present-day artists. Plans to move to the former US embassy were abandoned.

Highlights

• Around 120 prints by M. C. Escher, including “Metamorphose,” “Belvédère” and “Klimmen en dalen”
• Former winter palace of Queen Mother Emma
• 15 chandeliers by Hans van Bentem
• Parquet floor by Donald Judd in the ballroom

Permanent exhibitions

• De Eschertentoonstelling – Permanent overview with more than 120 prints, from Escher's early Italian landscapes to tessellations, impossible buildings and the metamorphoses.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Stichting Escher Collectie (Sammlung der Gemeente Den Haag)

Director

Margriet Schavemaker

Visitors per year

approx. 144,758 (2025)

Admission & discounts

The Museumkaart and the VriendenLoterij VIP card are not valid here. Free with an ICOM card and for Vrienden van Kunstmuseum Den Haag; the Ooievaarspas, Rotterdampas and Dordtpas are accepted. No time slots: online tickets are valid for one year from purchase. Combination tickets with the Mauritshuis or Panorama Mesdag only via Tiqets.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Entrance up a few steps, with a mobile wheelchair ramp at the ticket desk; all galleries are step-free, small elevator (84 × 103 cm, max. 250 kg). No wheelchair-accessible restroom. Power wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not permitted because of heritage protection; loaner wheelchairs at the ticket desk. Four accessible parking spaces nearby (Tuinstraat/Denneweg and near Lange Voorhout 88). Highlights audio tour with detailed descriptions for blind and visually impaired visitors; preparation guide for visitors sensitive to sensory stimuli.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children up to age 6 free. Occasional family tours with a workshop (e.g., designing patterns with compass and ruler) and activities during the children's festival De Betovering. Strollers cannot be left at the cloakroom.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Utrechtsebaan, then follow the signs for “Centrum.”

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

No museum café anymore (the rooms are being converted into a space for learning and meeting). Paleiswinkel (shop) on the first floor. Free lockers in the basement; bags larger than A4 and umbrellas are not allowed in the galleries. Limited space for suitcases; strollers and folding bikes cannot be stored at all.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Ballroom (receptions up to 100, dinners for 60–70 guests) and MC Café in the basement (up to 100) outside opening hours; Zilverkamer and Escher Atelier for meetings. Weddings and bridal photo shoots (Tue–Fri) possible.

Plan your visit