The Mauritshuis. The Hague, Netherlands

The Mauritshuis is a must-visit for art lovers. This small yet world-class museum houses an impressive collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces from the 17th century, the golden age of this art form. The museum has two striking historical buildings: the Mauritshuis, a former city palace, and the Prince William V Gallery.

The Mauritshuis was built between 1636 and 1641 and was originally the residence of Count John Maurice of Nassau. Designed by architects Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post, this Dutch Classicist building features a symmetrical two-story structure with four apartments and a grand hall. Though a fire in 1704 destroyed much of its interior, it was restored by 1718. In 1820, the Dutch state purchased the building to house the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, and it opened to the public in 1822.

The museum’s collection boasts around 854 objects, primarily paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Highlights include works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter, and Frans Hals. Notable pieces include Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp.”