Restoration of Brussels' Justice Palace facade reaches milestone
Restorers at the Justice Palace in Brussels have removed the scaffolding from the top of the right-hand side of the courthouse. After 40 years with scaffolding around the courthouse, the first phase of the facade restoration is now half complete.
About 1,500 square metres of the 10,000 square metres of scaffolding currently around the building have been removed in recent weeks, completing the restoration of the right projecting part of the facade above the assizes room.
The restoration was particularly challenging because this section contains many sculptures and mouldings. The restorers also had to stabilise the pediment. Stones from the original quarries in the Burgundy region of France were used to preserve the original appearance. The aim was to replace as little stone as possible.
Next phase to start in 2026
A first section of scaffolding was removed in May, on the upper central part of the facade and the statue of Minerva. Over the coming months, the scaffolding will be gradually removed from other parts of the right side of the building. These will be moved to the left side, where restoration work will continue.
The first phase of the restoration of the facade, which covers an area of about five football pitches, is now half complete at a cost of 31.7 million euros. It is due to be completed by the end of 2025. The next phase, which will restore the facades of the base under the dome, is due to start in 2026.
"This site is a symbol of a country that finally respects its heritage"
Mathieu Michel, the Brussels secretary of state in charge of the Buildings Agency, said it was "unacceptable" that the building had been scaffolded for 40 years. "For me, this site is a symbol of a country that finally respects its heritage," he said on Thursday.
The restoration should be finished by 2030, when Belgium celebrates its 200th anniversary as an independent nation.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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