Palace of Justice | Brussels

The Palace of Justice stands at the top of Brussels like a city within a city. Joseph Poelaert designed the colossal courthouse in an eclectic language of classical forms and other historical references; construction ran from 1866 to its inauguration in 1883. The façade, porticoes and dome were intended to make the authority of justice visible across the capital. Their scale is extraordinary, but so is the building’s relationship with the neighbourhood below: its construction required the clearance of part of the Marolles.

Inside, the Salle des Pas Perdus is the centrepiece, a great hall beneath the dome from which galleries, staircases and courtrooms unfold. This is still a working courthouse, rather than a museum with unrestricted rooms. A guided visit is the most reliable way to learn about Poelaert’s design and the building’s civic role; access to particular spaces depends on court activity and security arrangements.

Outside, Place Poelaert opens towards one of the city’s broadest panoramas. The front façade restoration was largely completed in 2026, while work on the wider complex continues. Come for the architecture and the view, and allow a little time to walk down towards the Marolles to see how abruptly this monumental plateau meets the older city.