Guided Tour of the Palais de Justice and Discovery Visit of the Marolles
The Law Courts of the Palais de Justice in Brussels were commissioned by King Leopold II and are among the largest of his grandiose projects. Designed by the architect Joseph Poelaert and completed in 1883, the intimidating colossus totally dominates all other buildings in the vicinity in a mish-mash of Egyptian, Babylonian, and Greco-Roman architectural styles.
Poelaert’s “elephantine fantasy” consists of an awe-inspiring foyer, 245 offices, and 27 courtrooms which cover an area larger than St.-Peter’s in Rome. From Place Poelaert, there are splendid views of the Marolles, one of the most colorful sections of Brussels.
Our very experienced English-speaking guide is Sarah Strange who will begin our afternoon visit at the Palais de Justice, which houses the Belgian Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal, and the Assize Court. The first part of the tour includes visits to the courtrooms and the magisterial waiting room, known as the Salle des Pas Perdus (Hall of Lost Steps). Afterwards, we will stroll down to the Marolles to learn how this quarter was drastically changed by the construction of the Palais de Justice in the 19th century. Originally an old working class district where Pieter Brueghel the painter lived and worked, today the Marolles is an interesting mix of old-timer Bruxelloises, North African, Spanish, and Turkish immigrants, rough-and-ready bars, and low-rent housing side-by-side with smart loft apartments, cutting edge shops, trendy art and antiques galleries, and hip new bars and restaurants.
Note: This event is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 25
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Point: Square Jean Jacobs / Jan Jacobsplein, 1000 Brussels (at the rear of the Palais de Justice). Please wear flat shoes – a sign of a serious tour!
Price: €15 for ACB and AWCB members, and €20 for non-members
Sign up: Reservations are due by noon on Friday, September 21 by email (info@americanclubbrussels.org), online at www.americanclubbrussels.org, or by telephone to the ACB Office Manager (02/219.58.08). Payment to ACB at BE55 4279 1958 8144 (BIC/SWIFT: KREDBEBB) will confirm your reservation. Be sure to mention “palais” in the communications section of the virement. Cancellations are possible until noon on Friday, September 21. Participants canceling after this time, as well as no-shows, are charged the full cost of the event.
