Palace of Justice

A giant with endless scaffolding.

Not many buildings in Brussels are as massive as the Palace of Justice. Fittingly, it stands on what was once Gallows Hill – where medieval Brussels dealt with its criminals. This massive 19th-century courthouse has been under renovation since 1984, so long that the scaffolding itself now needs repairs. But don’t let that stop you from visiting this architectural giant.

A "small" construction project

When construction started in 1866, architect Joseph Poelaert went big – really big. The finished palace covered 26,000 square meters, with a dome soaring 100 meters high. Fun fact: it’s actually larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. No wonder they’re taking their time with renovations, though they promise it’ll be ready for Belgium’s 200th birthday in 2030. Maybe.

In September 1944, retreating German forces set the dome ablaze. While locals formed human chains to fight the fire, much of the building was destroyed. Weeks later, a V1 bomb caused even more damage. But the rebuilding came with a twist – they made the new dome 3.5 meters taller than the original.

Local drama

The architect, Joseph Poelaert, lived in the Marolles neighborhood while building his masterpiece. The twist? He had to demolish part of that same neighborhood to build it. The locals weren’t happy – they nicknamed him “Skieven architek” (crooked architect), possibly a play on the English “Chief Architect” that his workers used. Though Poelaert died before seeing his creation finished, he left us with the largest building constructed in the 19th century.

Insider tip

Head to Place Poelaert in front of the palace for one of the city’s best views. Better yet, take a ride on The View, the square’s observation wheel. Afterward, hop on the Poelaert Elevator, our glass-walled lift, down to the Marolles neighborhood. This working-class quarter turned trendy spot is perfect for vintage shopping at the daily flea market or grabbing a beer at an authentic estaminet.