Cardiff Crown Court, Crown Court in Cathays Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff Crown Court is a Grade I listed courthouse in Cathays Park featuring nine traditional courtrooms and one virtual courtroom in a classical structure. The building stands out with two prominent stone turrets topped with dome-shaped roofs along King Edward VII Avenue.
Construction began in 1901 following designs by Lanchester, Stewart and Rickards, with the building opening in 1906. The project emerged as part of Cardiff's broader development into a major civic center at the start of the 20th century.
The exterior sculptures represent Welsh ideals like Science, Education, Commerce, and Industry, embedding local values into the building's design. These decorative elements transform the courthouse into a statement about what the community valued during its construction.
The courthouse is located on King Edward VII Avenue in the Cathays Park area, making it easy to find and reach on foot. Visitors can observe court proceedings from the public gallery, though you should verify opening times before visiting.
The two stone turrets with dome-shaped roofs show surprising influence from German and Austrian Baroque architecture, an unusual style choice for a Welsh courthouse built in the early 1900s. This architectural blend stands out from the building's otherwise classical design.
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