Mauritshuis (Willemstad, Netherlands)
This is the facade of the hunting lodge and country seat of Maurice, Prince of Orange (1567-1625), in Willemstad. He was the son of William the Silent, the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that set off the Eighty Years’ War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1581.
At the age of eighteen Maurice got a leading role in the government of Holland and Zealand, two prominent provinces. In the war against Spain he had the reputation of being an intelligent strategist and as such he achieved many victories and drove the Spaniards out of the north and east of the Republic.
Between battles he liked to retire to this mansion, built in 1623. After its restoration some decades ago it has become the venue for private and business events. It also houses a small museum as well as the tourist information.
This stately door forms part of Thursday Doors. If you like doors, you certainly have to visit Norm’s site in order to admire more fun specimens.
The Photographer Smiled... 
What fabulous doors you have found this week. They are very elegant!
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Thank you, Georgie. I have just been reading your confession about the cruise. Just my idea to go and explore places all by yourself.
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“Elegant” was the word I was going to use, too, and the photo is almost symmetrical. 🙂
janet
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Don’t tell anyone, the symmetry is thanks to a bit of cropping, but maybe you already guessed that.
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I have no problem with cropping, but the building and landscaping look very symmetrical on their own.
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That is a wonderful facade and the doors suits it nicely 🙂
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Thank you, Norm. I was gratefully surprised to find such a fine building a such a small town, but it was a much more prominent place centuries ago.
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My goodness! How well preserved that building is for its age. Beautiful.
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Thanks, Jean. I was also gratefully surprised when I saw the date above the door. Apparently it survived a series of wars and was well maintained too, as it looks like the original drawings.
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Beautiful and artistic door! Thanks for the history lesson too. I didn’t know anything about Maurice, Prince of Orange.
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Thanks for your comment. I like to do some research about the places I visit, because in this way they come to life a little. By repeating some details I hope that the images begin to live for my visitors too. Have a nice day!
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What a beautiful entrance. I like the window above the door, it’s such an interesting shape.
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Thank you, Dan. The window is special indeed, more or less heart shaped. It is not often you see windows like this.
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How I wish I had Maurice as a friend! I can’t think of any excuse to visit his stately home. 😦
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Maybe you are better off not going to visit Maurice, as there is a pillory in front of this house. So why risk to fall into disgrace and end up there? Apparently I did the right things, because I could escape.
Have a nice weekend!
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Thanks – you too! I have a photo of a pillory in my collection. It’s next to a churchdoor. Why are people so eager to punish other people?
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The plain green wooden door makes a strong contrasting statement against the great ornamental facade. Excellent find and history.
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Thank you for your comment, Gordon. You are right, it is a very simple door, but beautiful in its simplicity. It also gives the impression of being rather strong. Doors that open to one side as this one, were common in that period. Have a nice Sunday!
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