Rijksmuseum De Gevangenpoort

About the museum

In the Middle Ages the building on the Buitenhof was the main gate to the castle of the Counts of Holland, today's Binnenhof. From 1428 it also served as a prison; later the Gajolen, the narrow cells, and a court building were added. Suspects waited here for interrogation and judgment, debtors were locked up, and confessions could be extracted in the torture chamber.

The prison function remained for four centuries. Inmates included well-known figures such as Cornelis de Witt and Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert, who were held in the more comfortable Ridderkamer; in the disaster year of 1672, the De Witt brothers met a violent end here. After it ceased to be a prison in 1828, the building stood empty and escaped demolition twice in the 19th century, in 1853 thanks to Minister Thorbecke and in 1873 thanks to the heritage conservation pioneer Victor de Stuers.

Since 1882 the Gevangenpoort has been a museum, today as a Rijksmuseum with the national collection of instruments of torture and punishment. The presentation leads through the cell block with the Gajolen, Ridderkamer and Pijnkelder as well as through the court building, and tells of the treatment of crime and punishment from the 15th to the 19th century. The museum forms one organisation together with the Haags Historisch Museum; this sister museum on the Korte Vijverberg is closed from 2024 to 2028 for renovation and extension. In 2016 Lonely Planet included the Gevangenpoort in its book "50 Museums to blow your mind".

Highlights

• Gajolen: the narrow, dark cells of the medieval prison
• Pijnkelder (torture chamber) in the cell block
• Ridderkamer, where Cornelis de Witt was held
• National collection of instruments of torture and punishment
• Court building with an audio tour and a game in which you play the judge yourself
• Daily guided tours of the cell block

Permanent exhibitions

• Cellengebouw: Gajolen, Ridderkamer und Pijnkelder – A tour of the medieval cell building: dark prison cells, the Ridderkamer for privileged prisoners and the torture chamber where confessions were extracted.
• Tentoonstelling in het Gerechtsgebouw – In the former court building, the exhibition with the national collection of instruments of torture and punishment tells of the path from suspicion through interrogation and trial to punishment.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Stichting Haags Historisch Museum en Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort

Director

Tjeerd Vrij

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, Rembrandtkaart, ICOM card, Ooievaarspas, Rotterdampas and VriendenLoterij VIP card (one person per card). Online ticket with time slot recommended, especially at weekends and during school holidays; tickets are also available at the ticket desk as long as the time slot is not sold out. The audio guide is free. Card payment only (no American Express), no cash.

Accessibility

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

Historic building with many narrow stairs, thresholds and uneven floors; not suitable for wheelchairs, rollators and prams. Gloves for touching certain objects are lent out. Assistance dogs with harness are allowed.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 8+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

According to the museum, it is less suitable for children under 8. Children's audio tour through the court building, puzzle trail for the cell block (at the ticket desk), and things to try such as a heavy foot block and thumbscrews, as well as a game in which you play the judge. During the holidays there are family tours for ages 8 and up (€5 plus admission).

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the signs "Den Haag Centrum (noord)". Guarded bicycle parking around the corner on the Buitenhof. Coaches can drop off in front of the door; coach parking at the Prinsessegracht.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

No restaurant in the building, catering right next door. Free, unattended cloakroom and lockers; bags, backpacks and umbrellas may not be taken into the exhibition. Free Wi-Fi at the entrance and in the courtyard. Museumkaart and Museumkaart junior are available at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit