Palace of Justice

The sky is the limit, architect Joseph Poelaert must have thought, because in the 19th century this was the largest building in Europe. The Palace of Justice stands on the historic Galgenberg, where in the Middle Ages the bodies of convicted criminals were displayed for deterrence at the gallows and the wheel. Megalomaniacal and intimidating, it towers above the working-class neighborhood at its feet. The goal was clear: the Belgian citizen was meant to be impressed by the judicial apparatus.

On weekdays, you can walk into the majestic 'salle des pas perdus' after a security check: 90 meters separate the floor from the high dome. The scaffolding around the Palace of Justice has formed a second skin for decades. They are now in need of restoration themselves. The current restoration plan runs until 2040.

UiTinBrussel