Palace of Justice

The Palace of Justice in Bucharest, Romania stands on the banks of the Dambovita River. Two architects coordinated to build the structure between 1890 and 1895. Ion Micu supervised construction and designed the interior while Albert Ballu was tasked with assembling the facade. The result was a stunning example of Neo-Classical architecture. King Carol I attended the grand opening of the building to give his royal blessing.

The building was designed to house Bucharest’s courthouses following the ratification of Romania’s first constitution that was free from foreign influence, which included a stipulation prohibiting the removal of judges. Today, the building houses Bucharest’s Court of Appeal and the Sector 5 Court. Stationed across the exterior are six marble statues, each one exhibiting a justice-themed principle.

Between 2004 and 2006, restoration efforts were underway in the grand courthouse, aimed at maintaining the structural and decorative details of the original building. The palace’s 690 rooms were carefully repaired, and today the structure stands as a work of art as well as a historical monument to Romania’s independence.