In the 13th century Floris IV, Count of Holland bought a piece of land next to a small lake to build a house on.

From the early 17th century, the Ridderzaal became an important trading place for booksellers, as Westminster Hall was in London.

This 40 by 20 metres (131 ft × 66 ft) large Gothic hall has magnificent stained glass windows depicting the coats of arms of various prominent Dutch towns and cities; particularly fine is the rose window with the arms of the principal noble families of the Netherlands.

The heavy timber roof structure with its 18-metre-long beams (59 ft) has the appearance of an upturned ship.

Wooden heads symbolizing eavesdroppers from the higher powers are supposed to deter members of the assembly from lying.