Palais de Justice, Brussels

Name: Palais de Justice
Address: Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 508 65 78

#12 among attractions in Brussels

Palace, Joseph Poelaert, Architecture, Historical place

Gallery (19)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Stansfield / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Romainberth / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jeanhousen / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Ziad / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Johan Pafenols / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / LBM1948 / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / M0tty / URL

Facts and practical information

The Palais de Justice stands as a grand testament to Brussels' rich legal and architectural history. This imposing palace, located in the heart of Belgium's capital, is not only the largest court building in the country but also one of the most impressive in Europe. Constructed in the 19th century, the Palais de Justice was designed by the renowned architect Joseph Poelaert and is a striking example of the eclectic and neoclassical styles.

Covering an area of 26,000 square meters, the building dominates the city skyline with its colossal scale and grandeur. The Palais de Justice was built to centralize the various levels of the judiciary system under one roof, symbolizing the unity and importance of the legal process in Belgium. The construction of the palace was an engineering feat of its time, completed in 1883 after nearly two decades of work.

Visitors to the Palais de Justice are greeted by its impressive façade and the vast dome that crowns the structure, which rises to a height of 104 meters. Inside, the building's interiors are equally magnificent, with vast halls, intricate decorations, and an abundance of marble and gold leaf. The palace is not only a working court but also a tourist attraction, offering guided tours that provide insights into Belgium's legal heritage and the building's architectural wonders.

Local name: Palais de justice de Bruxelles Architectural style: EclecticismHeight: 341 ftCoordinates: 50°50'12"N, 4°21'6"E

Address

Bruxelles-Ville (Marolles)Brussels Belgium

Contact

+32 2 508 65 78

Website

Social media

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Brussels

Day trips

Palais de Justice – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Musical Instrument Museum, Sablon, Halle Gate, Magritte Museum.

0.5 miNE
Museum, Art Nouveau architecture, Specialty museum
Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels
14 min walk • The Musical Instrument Museum, located in the heart of Brussels, Belgium, is a unique celebration of music through the display of more than 8,000 instruments from all over the world. This museum is a paradise for music lovers and history enthusiasts alike, offering a...
~1520 ftNE
Square
Sablon, Brussels
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Brussels, Belgium, the Sablon is a historic and vibrant square that exudes charm and elegance. Known for its antique shops, art galleries, and chocolate boutiques, this picturesque area is a magnet for both locals and tourists looking...
0.4 miSW
Museum, Historical place, Military museum
Halle Gate, Brussels
11 min walk • The Halle Gate stands as a historical testament in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. This medieval fortified city gate, now converted into a museum, is the last remaining vestige of the second set of defensive walls that once encircled the city.
0.5 miNE
Museum, Art museum, René Magritte
Magritte Museum, Brussels
14 min walk • The Magritte Museum stands as a beacon of surrealist art in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. Dedicated to the work of the renowned Belgian artist René Magritte, this museum is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of the surrealist movement.
0.5 miNE
Museum, Art museum, Specialty museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels
12 min walk • The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are a group of art museums in Brussels, Belgium. They include six museums: the Oldmasters Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the Modern Museum, the Antoine Wiertz Museum and the Constantin Meunier Museum.
~1750 ftN
Church, Gothic architecture, Sacred and religious sites
Chapel Church, Brussels
9 min walk • The Church of Our Lady of the Chapel, or the Chapel Church, is a Roman Catholic church located on the Place de la Chapelle/Kapelleplein in the Marolles/Marollen district of Brussels, Belgium. This site is served by Brussels-Chapel railway station.
~1590 ftN
Museum, Specialty museum
Jewish Museum of Belgium, Brussels
8 min walk • The Jewish Museum of Belgium is a museum in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on the history of the Jews in Belgium.
~1880 ftNE
Church, Gothic architecture, Park
Espace Sablon, Brussels
10 min walk • The Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon is a Roman Catholic church located in the Sablon/Zavel district in the historic centre of Brussels, Belgium. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Sablon.
~1750 ftNE
Park
Egmont Palace, Brussels
9 min walk • The Egmont Palace, also sometimes known as the Arenberg Palace, is a neoclassical palace in Brussels, Belgium. It was originally built between 1548 and 1560 for Countess Françoise of Luxembourg and Lamoral, Count of Egmont, though its appearance was heavily modified in the 18th century.
~1160 ftNE
Synagogue, Architecture, Sacred and religious sites
Great Synagogue of Europe, Brussels
6 min walk • The Great Synagogue of Europe, formerly known as the Great Synagogue of Brussels, is the main synagogue in Brussels, Belgium which was dedicated as a focal point for European Jews in 2008.
~500 ftN
Memorial, Lookout, Monuments and statues
Belgian Infantry Memorial, Brussels
3 min walk • The Belgian Infantry Memorial is a monument in Brussels, Belgium, which stands in memory of the Belgian foot soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II. Designed by Edouard Vereycken, the memorial stands in front of Brussels' Palace of Justice and across the Place Poelaert/Poelaertplein from the Anglo-Belgian War Memorial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Palais de Justice open?

Palais de Justice is open:

Monday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 4 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 4 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 4 pm
Thursday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 4 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm - 4 pm
Saturday closed
Sunday closed

Which popular attractions are close to Palais de Justice?

Nearby attractions include Clock Tower, Brussels (1 min walk), Place Poelaert, Brussels (3 min walk), Belgian Infantry Memorial, Brussels (3 min walk), Anglo-Belgian Memorial, Brussels (3 min walk).

How to get to Palais de Justice by public transport?

The nearest stations to Palais de Justice:

Tram

Poelaert • Lines: 92, 93 (3 min walk)
Louise - Louiza • Lines: 8, 92, 93, 97 (5 min walk)

Bus

Poelaert • Lines: 33 (4 min walk)
Jeu de Balle - Vossenplein • Lines: 48, 52, N12 (5 min walk)

Metro

Louise - Louiza • Lines: 2, 6 (5 min walk)
Hôtel des Monnaies - Munthof • Lines: 2, 6 (7 min walk)

Train

Bruxelles-Chapelle - Brussel Kapellekerk (9 min walk)
Porte de Hal - Hallepoort (12 min walk)