Justice Palace (Palais de Justice)
Justice Palace (Palais de Justice)
4
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsGovernment Buildings
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- Louiza • 4 min walk
- Munthof • 5 min walk
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4.0
739 reviews
Excellent
205
Very good
296
Average
175
Poor
41
Terrible
22
Jeanne H
Singapore, Singapore226 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Justice Palace was under renovation when we visited in April. Even if it were not, I am not sure if it is worth visiting besides the fact that it is very huge. If you wish to visit, it is quite a walk from Grand Place and uphill. We went because some people claimed the sunset from the front of the Justice Palace was beautiful. However, although the building is on elevated land, there are quite a lot of structures in front which tend to obstruct the view of the sunset. Unless you are expecting a cloudless sunset, I am not sure if it is worth walking all the way to the Palace just to see the sunset.
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Sept 2019
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 enter as well.
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 enter as well.
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PansyUK
London, United Kingdom66 contributions
July 2012 • Couples
From across the city this buidling dominates the skyline suggesting something special so of course you head off to explore. As you approach you realise it is swathed in scaffolding (for rennovation?) so you adapt your expectations a little. But nevertheless you walk on to Place Poeleart to get the free glass lift to whisk you up to take in some "sweeping vistas over Brussels" (Lonely Planet guide). The lift was operating when we arrived but the gates into & out of the entrance/exit were mysteriously but firmly shut, suggesting ghost occupants riding up & down! Was this some kind of Belgian Surrealism?! So, crestfallen but with unbroken spirit you walk up a rubbish strewn broken walkway, the signature fag-ends, plastic bottles & beer cans (such a regular feature of this european capital) lining your route. Observe the derelict foundations as you go by with plants & trees growing out of the lower parts. Gasp at the sight of the golden dome on this magnificently high building - the only part not covered in scaffolding - see how it has now been graffittied by someone even more determined to reach the top than you. Heave a heavy sigh at the fact that it is closed. Gettiing the picture? Its about all you will get. And as for the vistas? Partially obscurred by some rather non-descript buildings. Finally, beat a hasty retreat back to the street below and hurry past the drunks and petulant drug addicts scoring and arguing with each other and hide in a cafe and wonder how you might more usefully occupy your time.
Written 17 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soosie999
Fremantle, Australia250 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
This amazing building has the most eclectic architecture I have ever seen! We wandered past it on our first excursion after checking in to our hotel as there is an excellent view of the city from its position. As an historian I am pretty good at placing buildings in time through reading the decorative styles and symbols used in conjunction with what I know of a place’s history – but this one took some reckoning. The scale and proportions are enormous; it rivals the great temples of the ancient world. To give you an idea it has: winged lions from Assyria, Greek and Roman columns, entwined organic scrolling reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts movement, the list goes on. It was obviously built as a statement to prove to the world that Belgium had come of age and I was right. We found out that it was started in 1868 and finished in 1883 when the new modern state of Belgium was only 30 odd years old. It is the active courts and justice system and as long as you are respectful you are welcome to go in the building and have a look.
Written 11 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natacha P
Gatineau, Canada93 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
It is impressive and beautifull but sadly the construction is well underway and most of the building is closed and hidden by so many materials its hard to picture properly
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kate5900
London, UK67 contributions
June 2018
The is reputedly the largest building contrsucted in the 19th Century. Which seems a bland claim to fame. But it is the scale which is both fascinating and disturbing. Designed by Poelaert you would think this symbol of justice and the law would be a jewel in the Belgian crown; instead it’s run down with pigeon mess and graffiti. It’s this incongruous image though that makes it so interesting. Apparently 3,000 homes were destroyed to make way for the Palace.
I was only able to visit the exterior of the building with giant portico and steps. It’s worth a visit even for this though. I liked the area too; some nice places to eat (near the base of the public lift) and some good vantage points (at the top of the public lift).
I was only able to visit the exterior of the building with giant portico and steps. It’s worth a visit even for this though. I liked the area too; some nice places to eat (near the base of the public lift) and some good vantage points (at the top of the public lift).
Written 7 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda C
6 contributions
June 2015
The building has been going through renovation since I don't know when. When I first visited there in 2008, it was already closed for renovation. But the plaza in front of the building is a wonderful place to enjoy the sunset! You can see the whole lower city there! Drink beers with friends or enjoying the city view alone is good, but do remember to take away your trash with you.
Written 1 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
randhcox
Bruxelles31 contributions
Aug 2012
This must rank as one of the things that Ceasescu and Stalin regretted having not built. No amount of expensive restoration can improve this overpowering monster
Written 11 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariya
The Hague, The Netherlands152 contributions
May 2011
Nice view and all, but seriously, when is they be stop renovating tha place, eh?
Written 5 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah from Indiana
11 contributions
Sept 2019
This was an incredible experience, the magnitude of the building, the size of the halls and getting lost seemed to be part of the overall experience. I was walking with a French woman and neither of us could figure out how to get out-we just laughed and kept walking-going in and out of rooms and halls.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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