Royal palace “Het Loo”. Photo by natataek on Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Paleis Het Loo


 

Het Loo Palace which is known as Paleis Het Loo in Dutch is magnificent in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. It was built by the House of Orange-Nassau.

The construction of Het Loo Palace started in 1684 and was completed in 1686. The palace was built for William the third and Queen Wilhelmina who lived here until 1962.

Het Loo Palace has been open to the public ever since it became a national monument. Visitors and other people could view the furnished interior which contained the royal bed chambers, collection of regal paintings, and lavish dining room.

The palace was closed in 2021 to undergo a massive €123.2 million renovation. However, the stables and coach, magnificent gardens with symmetrically planted flowerbeds, and the palace rooftop remained open.

Within Het Loo Palace gardens is the palace park. This park is immense, beautifully landscaped and the orange is promenaded at leisure.

Visitors are encouraged to follow the Orange Trail to explore the key features of the park which include the royal boathouse and various romantic pavilions. There are also two luxurious restaurants serving Dutch and European meals within the palace.

Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Paleis Het Loo:

1. The Palace and Garden were Designed by Different Architects

In the early centuries, building especially belonging to the Royal families were designed by renowned architects. Their gardens were also designed by other architects to bring out a different and serene environment.

Het Loo Palace building was designed by two popular architects and the garden by another one. The palace was built in a symmetrical Dutch design.

The architects who designed it were Jacob Roman and Johan van Swieten who built it between 1684 and 1686. Het Loo Palace’s garden was designed by Claude Desgotz.

2. Queen Wilhelmina  gave the Palace to the State on a Condition  

Het Loo Palace 01. Photo by Michael Clarke stuff on Wikimedia

The royal family lived in the Het Loo Palace since it was constructed until the death of Queen Wilhelmina. In 1960, two years before her death, Queen Wilhelmina made one declaration with a condition.

She declared that when she passed away, the private estate surrounding the palace would be given to the state. However, she requested that the estate would be returned to her family if the Dutch abolished the monarchy. The crown properties surrounding the palace officially became state properties after the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962.

3. Daughter of Queen Wilhelmina never Lived in the Palace

Het Loo Palace was meant for the royal Dutch family who was supposed to reside in it. Queen Wilhelmina had several miscarriages and stillbirths. She only had one child, Queen Juliana who was supposed to live at the palace.

However, Queen Juliana never lived at the Het Loo Palace. Her younger daughter, Princess Margriet lived in the right wing of Het Loo Palace until 1975.

4. The Palace is a State Museum and Serves Various Purposes

Het Loo Palace. Photo by Remi Mathis on Wikimedia 

Between 1976 and 1982, major renovations took place at the Het Loo Palace after it was handed over to the state. In 1984, the palace was turned into a state museum open to the general public.

The public gets to view the interiors with original furniture, objects and paintings of the House of Orange-Nassau. There is also a library devoted to the House of Orange-Nassau.

Museum of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood’s Chancellery is also within the palace. This contains books and other materials concerning decorations and medals. It is also among the top one hundred Dutch heritage sites.

5. There is a Private Great Garden with Orange Trees

Het Loo Palace has a private garden that is behind the building. This private great garden is so amazing with the lawns and the trees planted.

There are several orange trees which are set out in wooden boxes and wintered in an orangery. This was a feature of all gardens.

6. The Palace Underwent Major Renovation

Photographed at Het Loo, The Netherlands. Photo by Alf van Beem on Wikimedia

Het Loo Palace has always been open to the general public since it was made a state museum in 1984. The public always has the opportunity to view the interiors and also the exterior of the great Palace.

However, in 2021, the palace interior was locked out of access to the public. People could not view the royal bed chambers, collection of regal paintings and lavish dining room.

During this period in 2021, the state decided to do major renovations to the palace. The budget for the massive renovations was €123.2 million.

7. A Modern Style House was Built for Princess Margriet in the Palace

Het Loo Palace was meant for the royal Dutch family from the beginning. Even after the death of Queen Wilhelmina, the royal family could occupy the palace.

A special house was built for Princess Margriet after her mother, Queen Juliana decided not to live in the Het Loo Palace. The Het Loo House was built for Princess Margriet and Mr Pieter van Vollenhoven on the palace grounds. Het Loo House is a single-storey house built in the modern style.

8. Het Loo Palace is One of the Most Frequented Monuments in the Netherlands

Palace Park at Het Loo in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Photo by J. A. De Roo on Wikimedia

This palace has always been ranked among the top one hundred Dutch heritage sites for years. Being one of the most magnificent Monuments in the Netherlands, several tourists and other visitors from around visit the area more often.

In 2012, the palace had a record 249,435 visitors. In 2013, Het Loo Palace became the 8th most visited museum in the Netherlands with four hundred and ten thousand people visiting. More visitors frequent this amazing area every year.

9. The Garden of the Palace was Built not for a King but a Stadhouder

Het Loo Palace has a magnificent garden which is also open to the general public. The main garden has conservative rectangular beds instead of more elaborately shaped ones.

This garden has an enclosed space surrounded by raised walks tucked into the woods for private enjoyment. The funny thing is that the garden was purposely built for a stadhouder and not a king.

10. The Building is a Rijksmonument

This is an image of rijksmonument number 8165. Photo by Nataliia Ieremieieva on Wikimedia

Het Loo Palace is not only named in the top one hundred Dutch heritage sites. It also serves several other purposes in the Netherlands.

The building is a Rijksmonument. This means that it is a state monument and national heritage site of the Netherlands.

It is listed by the agency Rijksdienst Voor het Cultureel Erfgoed acting for the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. It is an amazing place to learn more about Dutch history.