Roof of PM’s office is original 16th-century flat-plack

The roof of the Little Tower, located at the Binnenhof in The Hague, was constructed in 1547 and has remained largely unchanged since. This eight-meter-high spire above the prime minister's office was recently inspected during ongoing renovations at the complex. Conducted by the government's property agency, the research revealed that the ceiling contained asbestos, which was subsequently removed.

Beneath the asbestos was discovered the oak roof structure, which has required minimal maintenance over its 478-year lifespan. The beams were sawn by hand, a technique commonly used before the advent of sawmills. The wood used originated from an oak tree felled in southern Sweden around 1546. The beams bear Roman numerals, indicating that the roof was built in a workshop, then disassembled and transported to the building site.

These numerals effectively serve as instructions, similar to those found on modern packaging. The tower itself predates the roof, with the earliest records dating back to 1497. Emperor Charles V undertook a complete reconstruction of the tower in 1547, including the addition of the spire. The Binnenhof renovation project commenced in 2021, with an initial estimate of €475 million for completion.

However, the actual costs have far surpassed expectations, reaching at least €2.7 billion, with the project now projected to be finished by 2031. Archaeologists have also unearthed a 14th-century city gate at the site, adding to the historical significance of the Binnenhof. Without the support of readers, Dutch News, a free news service, would not exist.

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