Het Prinsenhof

I also visited the Het Prinsenhof Museum. It was originally a convent from 1404. Decades later in 1572 Prince William of Orange moves in too with his family (with the nuns!)

William of Orange was the leader of the Dutch revolt and on his way to lunch in his own home on July 10 1584 he was murdered in a stairwell. He was the first political figure to be assassinated by gun, and I stood on the same stairs today and the bullet holes are still in the wall.

There was a beautiful collection of family portraits- I really enjoy spaces that are dedicated to one family. Walking through their gallery is like walking through a photo album. You really get an idea of what they looked like, and start to recognize the same people when you see them elsewhere!