The South Park - Den Haag

It doesn't get more popular than Zuiderpark: sandwiched between the 'working-class districts' of Rustenburg-Oostbroek, Morgenstond, Leyenburg and Moerwijk and mainly frequented by 'ordinary people'. Concern for the 'common man' prompted the construction of The Hague's largest park. In the 1920s and 1930s, crisis and unemployment prevailed worldwide. To keep alcoholism and domestic violence among the unemployed under control, municipal governments across the country set up work release projects.

The Hague has several, of which Zuiderpark is probably the best known. The famous architect Berlage was responsible for the design, much more open and grand than at the more private former estates.
All kinds of entertainment can be found here, besides a collection of statues. Nowhere in the city will you find so many of these together in public and nowhere is the variety greater.

The side of the park on Loevesteinlaan, near the junction with Melis Stokelaan, is worth extra attention. There, fragments of a relief stand against the backdrop of a green hill. In spring, the blossoms on the trees almost make one forget the busy traffic.

Photos: Matthijs Termeer