The Palace of Justice is one of the most well-known and monumental buildings in Bratislava. It is located near the city center on Záhradnícka Street. The building houses the Regional Court in Bratislava and the Municipal Court Bratislava I. Historically, the Palace of Justice also served as a prison. Today, it is a central location for criminal justice proceedings in Bratislava.
In the past, the Palace of Justice was notoriously known as a site for carrying out the death penalty. Executions were primarily of war criminals and political prisoners, and later mostly of murderers. Among the most prominent individuals executed here was Jozef Tiso, the president of the wartime Slovak State.
The Palace of Justice is easily accessible by public transport, on foot, or by bicycle. Traveling by car is not recommended to avoid unnecessary parking difficulties.
Architecturally, the Palace of Justice is a typical administrative building that visually conveys the authority of the state. It consists of three double-winged sections. The main wing is distinguished by a prominent risalit and contains the courtrooms and entrance areas.
The prison section of the building is located in the courtyard and is based on the so-called Pennsylvania-panoptic design. A central rotunda – hidden from the outside—serves as the hub, with corridors extending in a cross pattern to the individual cells.
Around the Palace of Justice, there are many options for spending a pleasant time. The area is home to several cafés and small parks, the most famous of which is Medická Garden.