The Ridderzaal or Hall of Knights is a Gothic, turreted building in the centre of the Binnenhof (Inner Courtyard). In 13th century it was the dining hall of the Counts of Holland. These days it only has a ceremonial finction. It is used for the opening of Parliament by the Queen on the 3rd Tuesday in September.
The hall is surrounded by the parliament buildings and flanked on one side by the Hofvijver, a gigantic pool (once the moat) with a fountain and an island in the middle.
At Binnenhof 8A you can join a guided tour which leads through the Ridderzaal and the formet First and Second Chamber. It end at the visitor Centre with a small exhibition that shows the political history of the Netherlands.
