Palace of Justice

The Palace of Justice on Place Poelaert sits on a ridge above the Marolles district of Brussels and dominates the city skyline with its large dome. Designed by architect Joseph Poelaert and completed in 1883, it is a vast neo-classical and eclectic courthouse that covers more ground than St Peter's Basilica in Rome and is often cited as the largest building constructed in the 19th century. Its facade features tall columns, huge stairways and heavy stone ornament, while the interior includes the Salle des Pas Perdus, a gigantic entrance hall that visitors can see on weekdays during court hours when the building is open. Scaffolding has covered parts of the exterior for decades due to long-running restoration, which is a recognisable feature of the building. Most visitors come not for the interior but for the terrace on Place Poelaert, which looks out over the Marolles, the lower town and, on clear days, the Atomium to the north. A free public glass lift runs between the Marolles at Rue de l'Épée and the terrace, connecting the working-class lower quarter and the upper town. The visit takes about 30 minutes, and sunset is the favoured time when the sun lights the rooftops and spires of the lower town. The terrace is quiet in the morning, and crowds build modestly at sunset and on weekends. The building is accessible from metro lines 2 and 6 to Louise, an eight-minute walk, or from the lift. The area is close to the Sablon, the Marolles flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle, and Avenue Louise. Security checks apply if entering the building, and visitors should expect restricted areas because it remains a working court. Photographers often choose the terrace railing for panoramas, while the grand staircase and columns offer strong foreground details. In Brussels, Belgium, the Palace of Justice remains a symbol of the state's confidence in the 19th century.