The Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice) was built on an area known as Gallows Hill (as criminals were routinely hanged here during the middle ages). Around 3,000 houses were demolished to make way for the building, which is larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, spanning around 260,000 square feet (24,000 square meters). Most Brussels sightseeing tours at least pass by or make a stop in front of the building.
The closest train station is Louise, and tram number 92, which travels past the Royal Palace, also stops nearby. Alternatively, there’s a glass elevator that will take you from Place Bruegel in the Marolles to Place Poelaert, and also delivers great views of the city on the way.
The Palace of Justice is open Monday through Friday during the daytime, except on public holidays. It's worth visiting pretty much any time of day, but if you want a photo of the gargantuan structure that doesn't include throngs of tourists, not long after sunrise may be your best bet.
With the construction of the Palace of Justice came a lot of displacement, and around 3,000 homes in the working-class Marolles neighborhood were razed to make room for the sprawling construction. Poelaert was soon dubbed De Skieven Architek, which means “crooked architect,” likely a corruption of the Flemish term for “chief architect
