Palace of Justice: the largest courthouse in the world

Palace of Justice, designed in the 19th century by architect Joseph Poelaert, was the largest building constructed in Europe at the time and still dominates the Brussels skyline today. This neoclassical monument also features Assyrian-Babylonian influences and was conceived as a symbol of justice, order, and the separation of powers. Restoration works are still ongoing. In the 19th century, the Palace of Justice was the largest building constructed in Europe. More than 140 years later, its dome still dominates the Brussels skyline. The man behind it, Joseph Poelaert (1817-1879), was a stubborn jack-of-all-trades who refused to adhere to any fixed style. His unbridled dedication drove him to exhaustion, and he was unable to complete his gigantic design himself. The people of Brussels meaningfully called him the Schieven architect – and that was not a compliment. The Palace of Justice is a neoclassical monument with striking Assyrian-Babylonian features. Poelaert saw architecture as a moral and almost metaphysical task: proportions, dimensions, and motifs had to make order, justice, and the separation of powers visible. This layered symbolism, nourished by ancient cultures and religious traditions, makes a visit here special. You will discover Poelaert's life, his vision, and the building's place in the city and the justice system. During this guided tour, our expert guides breathe life into this colossal monument with their captivating stories. What about those scaffolding structures? Many individuals have never seen the building without scaffolding. However, there is hope! The Brussels Region has developed a plan to complete the restoration of the façade by 2030. This timing is ideal to add extra splendor to Belgium's 200th anniversary celebrations.