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The Palais de Justice of Strasbourg is a large 19th-century neo-Greek building (with neo-Egyptian elements) in the Tribunal quarter of the Neustadt district of
The Palais de Justice of Strasbourg is a large 19th-century neo-Greek building (with neo-Egyptian elements) in the Tribunal quarter of the Neustadt district of Strasbourg
Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label=Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label=Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the Eu ...
, France, which houses Strasbourg's main court, the Tribunal de Grande Instance.
History
The Palais de Justice was built between 1894 and 1898 by the Danish architectSkjold Neckelmann
Skjold Neckelmann (born November 24, 1854 - May 13, 1903) was a Danish-German architect, best known for designing four Strasbourg buildings that are landmarks of the Neustadt district - the National and University Library, the National Theatr ...
, after the death of his partner August Hartel. It was to be his last major work.
It stands next to the Catholic church Église Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune catholique, which had been designed by Hartel and Neckelmann in the Romanesque Revival style.
The Palais, designed in Greek Revival style
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement which began in the middle of the 18th century but which particularly flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in northern Europe and the United States and Canada, but ...
, features a large portico with Ionic columns
The Ionic order is one of the three canonic orders of classical architecture, the other two being the Doric and the Corinthian. There are two lesser orders: the Tuscan (a plainer Doric), and the rich variant of Corinthian called the composite or ...
, surmounted by a triangular pediment that is decorated with the allegories of Justice
Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...
(under the figure of the goddess Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of ...
) and Fortitude or Courage
Courage (also called bravery or valor) is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle.
Physical courage is bravery in the face of physical pain, h ...
, with two sphinxes. The entrance gate features a mask of Gorgon
A Gorgon (Help:IPA/English, /ˈɡɔːrɡən/; plural: Gorgons, Ancient Greek language, Ancient Greek: Γοργών/Γοργώ ''Gorgṓn/Gorgṓ'') is a creature in Greek mythology. Gorgons occur in the earliest examples of Greek literature. W ...
, believed to ward off evil.
Renovation
In the 21st century, there was a long debate as to whether to build a new courthouse or to renovate the existing building. The latter option was finally chosen, with work due to begin at the end of 2013. The work, which will entend the existing building, has been assigned to the Spanish architect Jordi Garcés, and is expected to be completed in 2016, at a cost of 63.2 million euros. However, the renovation plans of Garcés are being contested in the courts by the Association des Vieux amis de Strasbourg, on the grounds that they involve the destruction of three courtrooms that are designated asmonuments historiques
''Monument historique'' () is a designation given to some national heritage sites in France. It may also refer to the state procedure in France by which National Heritage protection is extended to a building, a specific part of a building, a coll ...
.
Historical monument
On 2 July 1992, the facades, the inner courtyard (Salle des pas perdus) and the courtrooms were classified as amonument historique
''Monument historique'' () is a designation given to some national heritage sites in France. It may also refer to the state procedure in France by which National Heritage protection is extended to a building, a specific part of a building, a coll ...
.
References
{{coord, 48.5882, 7.7479, type:landmark_region:FR, display=title Historicist architecture in France Greek Revival architecture Courthouses in France Government buildings completed in 1898 Monuments historiques of Strasbourg