The Hague — Mata Hari's Spy Secrets

Your journey begins at the Vredespaleis, the Peace Palace, a Dutch historic monument built between 1907 and 1913. This 48-meter high neo-Renaissance edifice, designed by Louis Cordonnier, housed the Permanent Court of Arbitration and has been the seat of the International Court of Justice since 1945. It was in the surrounding district that Mata Hari resided between 1915 and 1916, when her alleged espionage activities placed her at the heart of international tensions. The land for this global institution was donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a gesture for peace that contrasted with the intrigues playing out at its gates.

As you head towards Lange Voorhout, this 17th-century paved historic avenue, you can imagine the royal carriages that once passed through. Approximately 500 meters long, it is lined with mansions and the Mauritshuis, places where the diplomatic elite of the time mingled. It was here, in 1916, that Mata Hari allegedly met German officers, transforming these social gatherings into potential scenes of secret information exchange. The Hague, a city of peace and justice, with its motto "Vrede en Recht" (Peace and Justice), was paradoxically a nest of spies during World War I.

Your route then leads you to the Binnenhof, a political complex dating back to 1250, seat of the States General of the Netherlands. The Ridderzaal, or Knights' Hall, built around 1280 and measuring 39x22 meters, has been the scene of countless national decisions. During Mata Hari's stay in The Hague, the Binnenhof was at the center of diplomatic intrigues. Spies and double agents crossed paths there, attempting to influence European politics from this beating heart of Dutch power, a true Rijksmonument of South Holland's heritage.

A short walk away, Plein square, laid out in the 17th century, served as a market and official reception venue. Surrounded by administrative buildings, it became a gathering point for political demonstrations. It was in this setting that Mata Hari could have observed the movements of The Hague society, analyzed public opinion trends, and potentially identified new targets or sources of information. Every street corner in this South Holland city then held a potential secret, every encounter could be a lead for the dancer turned alleged double agent.

Your exploration continues towards the Hôtel Des Indes, a luxury hotel opened in 1884, which, according to historical archives, was a preferred meeting place for spies during the Great War. Mata Hari allegedly stayed there and met secret agents in 1916, in its tea room frequented by international high society. The Paleis Noordeinde, official residence of the King of the Netherlands since 1816, and the Hofvijver ponds, created in the 13th century, bordered by the Mauritshuis, are in immediate proximity to these places of Mata Hari's life and intrigue. This thematic circuit in The Hague offers a concrete immersion into the history of this period, revealing how South Holland's monuments served as the backdrop for one of the 20th century's most enigmatic figures.