Justice Palace (Palais de Justice)
Justice Palace (Palais de Justice)
4
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsGovernment Buildings
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- Louiza • 4 min walk
- Munthof • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
740 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
296
Average
175
Poor
41
Terrible
22
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Jeanne H
Singapore, Singapore229 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Justice Palace was under renovation when we visited in April. Even if it were not, I am not sure if it is worth visiting besides the fact that it is very huge. If you wish to visit, it is quite a walk from Grand Place and uphill. We went because some people claimed the sunset from the front of the Justice Palace was beautiful. However, although the building is on elevated land, there are quite a lot of structures in front which tend to obstruct the view of the sunset. Unless you are expecting a cloudless sunset, I am not sure if it is worth walking all the way to the Palace just to see the sunset.
Written June 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lasolis1
Leon, Spain4,225 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Huge building in a high area of the city, so the views are guaranteed. Next to it the Noria, another Attraction of the city to consider.
The Courthouse is open to the public, and after passing through a security check at the entrance, you can access the interior and walk quietly through the premises, and even watch a trial from the porthole of a door, or watch as lawyers prepare defenses with their clients at the hall tables.
They are restoring its exterior and its imposing dome, and I do not know if it is planned to renew the rest, but a hand of paint and some work, no less, because with those dimensions is impossible, it would not hurt.
The Courthouse is open to the public, and after passing through a security check at the entrance, you can access the interior and walk quietly through the premises, and even watch a trial from the porthole of a door, or watch as lawyers prepare defenses with their clients at the hall tables.
They are restoring its exterior and its imposing dome, and I do not know if it is planned to renew the rest, but a hand of paint and some work, no less, because with those dimensions is impossible, it would not hurt.
Automatically translated
Written July 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alejandro0203
Pilar, Argentina506 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Great building in the upper part of the city. When we arrived we were a little disappointed because all the exterior is under construction and cannot be appreciated. If we could enter (it is free) and tour it inside. It is impressive the central hall where you could see lawyers (in strange black attire) review cases with their clients. At the exit and a few meters away is an ascender (not walking) that lowers you to the other part of the city, we did it by a ramp.
Automatically translated
Written August 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Regina P
Hannover, Germany3,570 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A huge complex topped by a large dome that is visible throughout the city.
Great details in the facade, during the week you can also visit the entrance hall. A great fascinating building. And the view is phenomenal.
Great details in the facade, during the week you can also visit the entrance hall. A great fascinating building. And the view is phenomenal.
Written April 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan C
Madrid, Spain14 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The main hall is impressive, the building is marred by the scaffolding on the outside. The worst was the treatment of the security personnel: my wife left her watch on the tray of the security arch and, when she went to ask about it 20 minutes later, they told her that it was not there, that she would have lost it somewhere else ( without looking in any tray). Being a smart watch, we looked for the watch from the phone and, when it started ringing, it appeared on the first tray they had under the belt. And on top of that they got cool
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,766 contributions
Sep 2019
The most important court of law in Belgium, this building isn’t much to look at from the outside because of the ongoing renovation works. It’s free to enter and it’s really here that you can see the building is heavily influenced by Neoclassical and almost temple like by the sheer number of columns and sculptures. Many of the sculptures such as Demosthenes, Lycurgus, Cicero and Ulpian, jurists and lawgivers of antiquity allude to the legal nature of the building.
The most important court of law in Belgium, this building isn’t much to look at from the outside because of the ongoing renovation works. It’s free to enter and it’s really here that you can see the building is heavily influenced by Neoclassical and almost temple like by the sheer number of columns and sculptures. Many of the sculptures such as Demosthenes, Lycurgus, Cicero and Ulpian, jurists and lawgivers of antiquity allude to the legal nature of the building.
It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to enter as well.
One thing to note if walking there. If approaching from downhill from north of the Palace e.g. Rue Notre Dame De Gráces, there a lift you can take up instead of having to walk up.
It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to enter as well.
The most important court of law in Belgium, this building isn’t much to look at from the outside because of the ongoing renovation works. It’s free to enter and it’s really here that you can see the building is heavily influenced by Neoclassical and almost temple like by the sheer number of columns and sculptures. Many of the sculptures such as Demosthenes, Lycurgus, Cicero and Ulpian, jurists and lawgivers of antiquity allude to the legal nature of the building.
It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to enter as well.
One thing to note if walking there. If approaching from downhill from north of the Palace e.g. Rue Notre Dame De Gráces, there a lift you can take up instead of having to walk up.
It’s just a shame the renovation is slow painstakingly slow, but it’s still a fantastic building to visit and free to enter as well.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PansyUK
London, United Kingdom65 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
From across the city this buidling dominates the skyline suggesting something special so of course you head off to explore. As you approach you realise it is swathed in scaffolding (for rennovation?) so you adapt your expectations a little. But nevertheless you walk on to Place Poeleart to get the free glass lift to whisk you up to take in some "sweeping vistas over Brussels" (Lonely Planet guide). The lift was operating when we arrived but the gates into & out of the entrance/exit were mysteriously but firmly shut, suggesting ghost occupants riding up & down! Was this some kind of Belgian Surrealism?! So, crestfallen but with unbroken spirit you walk up a rubbish strewn broken walkway, the signature fag-ends, plastic bottles & beer cans (such a regular feature of this european capital) lining your route. Observe the derelict foundations as you go by with plants & trees growing out of the lower parts. Gasp at the sight of the golden dome on this magnificently high building - the only part not covered in scaffolding - see how it has now been graffittied by someone even more determined to reach the top than you. Heave a heavy sigh at the fact that it is closed. Gettiing the picture? Its about all you will get. And as for the vistas? Partially obscurred by some rather non-descript buildings. Finally, beat a hasty retreat back to the street below and hurry past the drunks and petulant drug addicts scoring and arguing with each other and hide in a cafe and wonder how you might more usefully occupy your time.
Written July 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soosie999
Fremantle, Australia248 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
This amazing building has the most eclectic architecture I have ever seen! We wandered past it on our first excursion after checking in to our hotel as there is an excellent view of the city from its position. As an historian I am pretty good at placing buildings in time through reading the decorative styles and symbols used in conjunction with what I know of a place’s history – but this one took some reckoning. The scale and proportions are enormous; it rivals the great temples of the ancient world. To give you an idea it has: winged lions from Assyria, Greek and Roman columns, entwined organic scrolling reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts movement, the list goes on. It was obviously built as a statement to prove to the world that Belgium had come of age and I was right. We found out that it was started in 1868 and finished in 1883 when the new modern state of Belgium was only 30 odd years old. It is the active courts and justice system and as long as you are respectful you are welcome to go in the building and have a look.
Written August 11, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natacha P
Gatineau, Canada93 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
It is impressive and beautifull but sadly the construction is well underway and most of the building is closed and hidden by so many materials its hard to picture properly
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kate5900
London, UK66 contributions
Jun 2018
The is reputedly the largest building contrsucted in the 19th Century. Which seems a bland claim to fame. But it is the scale which is both fascinating and disturbing. Designed by Poelaert you would think this symbol of justice and the law would be a jewel in the Belgian crown; instead it’s run down with pigeon mess and graffiti. It’s this incongruous image though that makes it so interesting. Apparently 3,000 homes were destroyed to make way for the Palace.
I was only able to visit the exterior of the building with giant portico and steps. It’s worth a visit even for this though. I liked the area too; some nice places to eat (near the base of the public lift) and some good vantage points (at the top of the public lift).
I was only able to visit the exterior of the building with giant portico and steps. It’s worth a visit even for this though. I liked the area too; some nice places to eat (near the base of the public lift) and some good vantage points (at the top of the public lift).
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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