Palais de Justice — Attraction in Brussels

The most important court of law in Belgium, this building isn’t much to look at from the outside because of the ongoing renovation works. It’s free to enter and it’s really here that you can see the building is heavily influenced by Neoclassical and almost temple like by the sheer number of columns and sculptures. Many of the sculptures such as Demosthenes, Lycurgus, Cicero and Ulpian, jurists and lawgivers of antiquity allude to the legal nature of the building. The most important court of law in Belgium, this building isn’t much to look at from the outside because of the ongoing renovation works. It’s free to enter and it’s really here that you can see the building is heavily influenced by Neoclassical and almost temple like by the sheer number of columns and sculptures. Many of the sculptures such as Demosthenes, Lycurgus, Cicero and Ulpian, jurists and lawgivers of antiquity allude to the legal nature of the building.

It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to enter as well.

One thing to note if walking there. If approaching from downhill from north of the Palace e.g. Rue Notre Dame De Gráces, there a lift you can take up instead of having to walk up.

It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to...

When its construction finished in 1883, the Justice Palace was the largest building in the world, and even today it is one of the most spectacular.

Le Palais de Justice (The Palace of Justice) is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the whole of Europe. It is currently still the most important court building in Belgium.

Due to its cheer size; 160 by 150 meters and a total ground surface of 26,000 m² and its location on the high Town of Brussels, the building is visible from most parts of the town.

The best views of Brussels are found on Poelaert Square, where the main entrance to the building is located.

History

The building was constructed between 1866 and 1883 by Joseph Poelaert, who died four years before the Palace was inaugurated. For the building to be completed, 3,000 houses had to be torn down.

At the end of World War II when the Germans were chased out of Belgium, they set fire to the Palace and the dome collapsed. The new dome is taller, narrower and very different from the original one.

Interior

If you’re surprised by its exterior, the interior will dazzle you. It is definitely worthwhile exploring. Its 328 ft (100 m) tall open foyer is startling. The court has two floors and a basement, all of which are accessible...

Joseph Poelaert, the architect responsible for the Colonne du Congrès and the Église Sainte-Catherine, commenced work on the Palais de Justice in Brussels in 1866. A courthouse like no other at the time or since. Construction took 17 years and required the expropriation of numerous properties in the Marolles district, without much consideration for the people living there. Poelaert did not live long enough to see the culmination of his work. You are free to enter and walk around the public areas. There is just an obligatory airport style security check at the visitor entrance. Maybe because of the scaffolding covering the exterior, but it is only from the inside that you grasp the sheer size of this building. The Palais de Justice by its very presence is meant to convey the concept of justice as being overwhelming and absolute and it...