Royal hotspots

For more than 300 years, the royal family lived and worked at Het Loo Palace. The House of Orange received their guests there for entertainment and business, and a great deal of attention was paid to the gardens and stables. The horses had royal accommodation in the stables, close to the coach houses with the carriages, cars, and sleighs. People strolled in the palace gardens and admired the exotic flowers and plants. A rich and generous past that can still be seen at Paleis Het Loo.

After a major renovation and expansion, Paleis Het Loo is once again fully open to the public! The palace rooms have been completely restored and redecorated. Various palace tours tell audio stories about the first residents. As a result of the 5000 m2 underground expansion, there is now more space for permanent and temporary exhibitions and new visitor facilities. The renovated Paleis Het Loo exudes the grandeur befitting one of the Netherlands’ most renowned museums!

As sleek as the perfectly symmetrical Baroque garden of Paleis Het Loo is, the park surrounding the palace is just as unspoiled. This romantic English landscape garden, the Palace Park, was the domain of the House of Orange in the 19th century. In the summer, much of court life took place among the fields, trees, and ponds. Remnants of that entertainment are still clearly visible in the park. You will come across all kinds of special places and cottages that used to have a function for the royal family (and sometimes still do!).

The baroque palace gardens are the main attraction at Paleis Het Loo. Even in the days of Stadtholder William III and Queen Mary—the first residents of Paleis Het Loo—this was a beautiful place to stroll. But in the 17th century, such a perfect garden meant much more. The gardens of Het Loo were – and still are – filled with garden statues and fountains, which subtly refer to the wealth, power, and success of Stadtholder William III and Queen Mary. The impressive garden full of symbolism therefore gave food for thought. As a visitor, you can experience how overwhelming this must have been at the time.

In the Old Elephant Barn, behind Paleis Het Loo, Fruitbedrijf Bouwman has been selling apples and pears grown on its own farm since the 1950s and 1960s. But did you know that there is a special reason why the barn is called the Old Elephant Barn? It was here that the two elephants brought back from Ceylon by the Dutch East India Company in 1786 and presented to Stadtholder William V stayed!

In 1861, King William III had Het Aardhuis built on one of the highest points in the Veluwe. Today, this striking landmark serves as the historical visitor center for Kroondomein Het Loo. You can enjoy a lovely walk in the adjacent Aardhuispark. With a little luck, you can spot red deer and fallow deer from the wildlife viewing platform. Afterwards, stop by Eet & Drink Lokaal Aardhuis for a cup of coffee with homemade cake or a tasty lunch.

The Grote Kerk in Apeldoorn has historical ties with Paleis Het Loo and a rich royal past. Did you know, for example, that the church was originally located on Raadhuisplein in the city center and that it was moved to Loolaan at the request of King Willem I?