Palais de Justice
Palais de Justice (Courthouse of Brussels)
2.6 hectares, 26, 000 metres squared, 97 metres high… the measurements of the Palace of Justice, justifying its local nickname in Brussels: "Mammoth".
Indeed, did you know that the Palace of Justice surpasses the Basilica of Saint-Pierre of Rome which covers only 2.2 hectares in surface?
This imposing building is the masterpiece of Joseph Poelaert.
This architect, member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Anvers, was born on the 21st of March 1817 in Brussels and died in his bed on Waterloo Boulevard, also in Brussels on the 3rd of November 1879. He is the brainchild of many of the buildings in the capital, most notably the church of Saint Catherine, the theatre of Money and above all ‘his’ Palace of Justice, the biggest construction in Europe of the 19th century.
The main outline of the project was given to the architect by the king Leopold II who wanted a majestic monument to symbolize the greatness of Brussels and the power of justice. The result exceeded his expectations…
Considered like the "King Builder", Leopold II transformed Brussels, but also, in the 1900’s, Ostende, on the North Sea coast, a fashionable seaside resort at the time.
As for the "Mammouth", this was inaugurated in 1883 and the people of Brussels discovered a monumental building mixing styles and influences. Today, it is still as surprising. Indeed, the panorama of the city from the esplanade is truly magnificent.
Palais de Justice
Place Poelaert, 1000 Brussels
T. : +0032(0)2 508 64 10
