Page 49 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

THE NETHERLANDS 47

THE FORMAL GARDENS
Old prints, records, and plans were used as
Upper
the guidelines for re-creating Het Loo's formal
Garden "-..,
gardens, which lie in the vast acres behind the
palace. Grass was planted over the original
walled and knot gardens in the 18th century,
and this was cleared in 1975. By 1983, the
intricate floral patterns had been reestablished,
replanting had begun, the Classical fountains
had been renovated and the water supply
fully restored. The garden reflects the late
17th century belief that art and nature Formal section
should operate in harmony. of the !Jardens

A Formal Gardens
STABLES AND COACH HOUSE The gardens combine plants,
statuary, and fountains in
Vintage cars, carriages, and sleighs, some
Classical style. The Fountain of
of which are still used by the Dutch royal
~ Old Dining family, are on display in Het Loo's stable the Celestial Sphere (above)
Room stands in the Lower Garden.
block and coach house, near the main
entrance. One of the best exhibits in the
Queen's stable block is a 1925 Bentley, nicknamed v Coat of Arms
Garden Minerva, which was owned by Prince The heraldic bearings (1690)
Hendrik, husband of Queen Wilhelmina. of William and Mary.
The coach house has a state coach, a state
chariot, and sports, shooting, and service
carriages from the first half of the 19th
century to the beginning of the 20th.
Prince Hendrik's
Bentley

Stadtholder
William Ill's Closet >
Royal Bedroom v

East Wing
The Chancery Museum,
which houses one of the
world's largest collections
of international orders,
decorations, and court-
dress, is found here.

Old Dining Room >
In 1984, six layers of paint
were removed from lhe
marbled walls of this 1686
room. They are now hung
with tapestries depicting
scenes from Ovid's poems.

KEY DATES
1684-6 1691-4 1814 1984
Building of the Het King William Ill Het Loo Palace Restoration of the
Loo Palace for Prince commissions new becomes the property house and garden
William Ill and building works on of the Dutch state. is completed.
Princess Mary. the palace.