Oud gerechtsgebouw Antwerpen, 19th-century courthouse in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Oud Gerechtsgebouw Antwerpen is a large 19th-century courthouse with a monumental portico, slate dome entrance, and corner pavilions in natural stone. Its floor plan features two rectangular courtyards surrounded by three to four wings, with an additional floor added during later renovations.
The building was constructed between 1871 and 1874 by architects Louis and Frans Baeckelmans and shows design influences from the Paris Louvre. Its architecture reflects Antwerp's confidence as a wealthy trading city that wanted to express its institutions monumentally.
The courtroom features a green silk ceiling and wooden panels decorated with classical motifs about justice and law. Through this ornate interior, the building expresses how seriously the city took its judicial role.
Visitors must pass through security scanners, and photography is not permitted inside the building. Guided tours are available but limited to small groups, so it's worth checking options in advance.
The facade combines various architectural styles into an eclectic whole that includes both European Renaissance and classical elements. This mixture makes the building a valuable example of the architectural language of its era.
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