Materials
Constructed between 1907 and 1913 to serve as the headquarters of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the Peace Palace has become one of the most iconic buildings in The Hague.
Its unique architecture and rich interiors reflect the Court’s mission to facilitate the peaceful resolution of international disputes, as well as the generosity and the diverse cultural heritage of the PCA’s Founding States who donated materials and artworks from across the globe to build the PCA’s Peace Palace.
Marble
Italy, one of the Founding States of the PCA, contributed more than 140 varieties of marble for the construction of the Court’s headquarters. This marble was incorporated into nearly every room of the Peace Palace, with over 1,760 square meters of marble used in the floors alone.
Sculpted Paonazzo marble was provided for the columns and pilasters in the entrance hall, in addition to white marble (Blanc Clair). The bases of the 8 columns and those of the pilasters behind them, as well as those in the end walls, were delivered entirely sculpted by Italy.
Entrance doors
Belgium gifted the bronze entrance doors in Art Nouveau style, designed by René Tochebus Forreniers and Léon Bray. These doors feature intricate designs symbolizing themes of justice and peace.
Exotic woods
Several countries such as Brazil, Haiti and El Salvador gifted generous quantities of precious wood, which were used in the interior panelling and furniture of the Palace.
The timber was shipped to Rotterdam in the form of logs and transported from there to Leidschendam, where the timber was sawn to the required size in a local sawmill.
• Brazil: Jacaranda and Pau-Brasil (Brazil redwood)
Brazil’s gift of jacaranda and redwood timber for the construction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s headquarters was highly symbolic as Brazil redwood (Pau-Brasil) is the national tree of Brazil, the country to which it gave its name. Its name in Portuguese, Pau-Brasil, derives from the color of the red resin contained in its wood. The word “brasil”, derives from “brasa”(ember), in reference to the red color of the tree’s trunk associated with fire.
The Brazil redwood timber was mainly used for the construction of the ceiling of the PCA’s Administrative Council Chamber and serves as a constant reminder of Brazil’s support of the Court’s activities.
• Haiti: Mahogany, used for furniture in the rooms of the President of the PCA’s Administrative Council, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General
Haitian mahogany has long been prized for both its quality and its cultural significance in Haiti. Frequently used by Haitian artists to craft intricate works that reflect both traditional craftsmanship and local cultural themes, mahogany is highly sought after for its versatility and beauty.
This tropical hardwood, known for its durability and fine grain, is often used in the creation of furniture and sculptures. This was also the case at the Peace Palace, where it was used for furniture such as writing tables and chairs.
• El Salvador: Fine woods used in the tower rooms
El Salvador also donated large amounts of fine tropical woods such as mahogany for the construction of the PCA’s headquarters, where it was incorporated in the panelling of the offices of the PCA Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and adjoining rooms.
Gate
The ornamental entrance gates, made of cast iron with bronze medallions and sandstone pillars, were donated by Germany.
The richly decorated gate was designed by Berlin Art Nouveau architect Bruno Möhring (1863-1929) and manufactured by the firm Schulz & Holdefleiss, which provided ornamental ironwork for many prestigious buildings. The six pillars and the wall work next to the two entrances consist of Oberkirchner sandstone with sculpted crowns and a base of Bavarian granite. The bronze reliefs in the pillars of the gate are by sculptor Wilhelm Widemann (1856-1915).
Granite
Norway and Sweden gave a large quantity of granite for the construction of the façade and the driveway of the Peace Palace.
Staircase
The central white marble staircase was a gift from the City of The Hague.
Modelled on the renowned staircase in the Great Opera Garnier in Paris, its handrails and flat sheetings are crafted from a special type of marble known as Arabescato.
Delft Tiles
The walls of the so-called “Russian Vase Room” are adorned with intricate ceramic tiles in various shades of blue and turquoise. These tiles were produced by the Royal Delft Porcelain Manufacture in its characteristic “Nieuw Delfts” (“New Delfts”) style, a combination of Art Nouveau style and Middle Eastern influences.
Introduced by Leon Senf a few years prior to the construction of the Peace Palace, the “New Delfts” style was heavily influenced by ceramics from the Middle East, and especially by Iznik pottery from Türkiye (itself inspired by Chinese porcelain). The designs of the tiles in the “Russian Vase Room” feature a combination of traditional Ottoman arabesque patterns, Chinese elements and Art Nouveau motifs such as peacocks and symbols taken from nature.
Tower Clock and Dials
Switzerland donated the tower clock and dials, symbolizing the PCA’s commitment to peacekeeping through timely justice. The clock bears an insignia saying “Möchte ich mit meiner Geläut den aufrichtigen Frieden verkünden” (“May my bells proclaim the sound of peace”).
On 18 October 1912, a mechanic from the Swiss factory A.C. Hasler Bern, where the clock was manufactured, started setting the tower clock. The movement runs for eight days and strikes on the hour and half-hour. The dials have a diameter of 3.75 metres and the large hand is 2.25 metres long.
