Antwerp tips by locals – always up to date!
We are Antwerpen locals. On this cityblog, we tell you about the spots we like!
Our tips are always up to date. Enjoy our city as much as we do!
“‘t amusement!”
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In Antwerp we have a controversial building at the outskirts of town: The Law Courts. In Antwerp we call it also the ‘Vlinderpaleis’ (Butterflypalace) because it has strange ‘wings’ on the roof. A sweet ‘light’ name for such a big building.
It was designed by the famous architect Richard Rogers (who also designed the Centre Pompidou and the Millennium Dome). When it was finished in 2006 everybody spoke of the courthouse in Antwerp. Some people found it very ugly, others thought it was a spectacular beauty. It cost a fortune and it took years to build it. The roof is made of stainless steel and looks like shark fins or waves. From a lot of places in the city you can see the threatening rooftops.
There used also a lot of glass. ‘They’ say they want to make every visitor at ease by the glass and the open character of the building. I don’t find it a reassuring place. It looks dangerous and impressive on the outside. The hall is enormous and indeed impressive and it almost takes you breath away. The roof is also from the inside something very special.
But I go there sometimes for my work (Juvenile Court). Behind the glossy facade it is a sad place where they made some crucial errors in the design and they forgot the people who have to come there for unpleasant business. It can look like an unfinished building site. By the way: You can not get coffee in the building. People sometimes have to wait for many hours.
I live very close to this building. When I look out of my window I can almost look inside. I see it everyday. At night it can be special – like a big dragon in the dark. I love also the hall with all the glass and the stairs. It is great for photographers. I can recommend everybody to pass by, to look inside, but remember: in the belly of the dragon there is mostly misery.
Details about this spot
Court house of Antwerp | Art & culture
Bolivarplaats 20 | Zuid (area map) | +3232578011
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:00, closed on holidays
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