The design was based on the British Apollo-class cruiser, although it featured the more seaworthy form amidships of the Astraea class.

[2] The ships were equipped with two shaft reciprocating engines, which were rated at 10,000 ihp (7,500 kW) and produced a top speed of 20 knots (37 km/h).

Navy expert, rear admiral and Chief of the Naval Staff, Gerhardus Kruys advocated for new cruisers.

Holland together with Koningin Wilhelmina der Nederlanden and the Evertsen-class coastal defence ship Piet Hein were sent to Shanghai to defend Dutch interests during the Boxer Rebellion.

Holland and Zeeland together with the coastal defence ships Hertog Hendrik, Koningin Regentes and De Ruyter assisted the KNIL during the Aceh War.

In 1908 Friesland, Gelderland and the coastal defence ship Jacob Van Heemskerck were sent to patrol the Venezuelan coast during the second Castro crisis.