In the interwar period, the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest experienced rapid growth, both in terms of student numbers and academic activity. This expansion made it necessary to create a dedicated space for courses and seminars. Until then, classes had been held in the University Palace, but the facilities soon became inadequate. At that time, Dean Nicolae Basilescu initiated a fundraising campaign to secure a proper home for the Faculty of Law.

An architectural monument that embodies justice

His efforts were supported by subsidies from King Carol II and the government, which allowed the ambitious project to move forward. Construction of the new Faculty of Law Palace began in 1934, under the direction of the renowned architect Petre Antonescu, famous for his work in the Neo-Romanian and Art Deco styles. 

The building was completed in just two years and inaugurated in 1936. Situated at 36–46 Mihail Kogălniceanu Boulevard, the palace immediately stood out with its imposing façade and striking architectural features.

The main façade of the Faculty of Law Palace is adorned with statues and bas-reliefs that highlight the values and traditions of law. These works were created by some of the most respected sculptors of the time, including Ion Jalea, Costin Georgescu, and Mac Constantinescu.

Above the main entrance, statues of legendary lawmakers and jurists from antiquity remind passersby of the deep historical roots of justice. These figures represent both the foundation and the evolution of law throughout history.

Lycurgus – the lawgiver of Sparta

One of the most prominent figures is Lycurgus, the semi-legendary legislator of Sparta, credited with shaping the city-state’s strict political, social, and military system. Although historical sources disagree on whether he truly existed, ancient writers like Plutarch and Herodotus describe him either as a king or as a regent who laid the foundations of Sparta’s militarized society.

He is said to have established the “Rhetra,” a Spartan constitution that emphasized equality, discipline, and devotion to the state. The system he created organized Sparta into a rigid structure, with all aspects of life subordinated to the needs of the army. 

Lycurgus’ reforms introduced a balanced political system, combining kingship, the Gerousia (council of elders), the Apella (assembly of the people), and the ephors, who acted as overseers of the laws. His legacy also included military education (the agoge), the ban on luxury, communal meals (syssitia), and reliance on helots and perioeci to sustain the Spartan economy.Solon – the reformer of Athens

Another statue represents Solon (c. 640–560 BC), one of Athens’ greatest statesmen, poets, and lawmakers, often counted among the Seven Sages of Greece. In a period of deep economic and social tensions, he became archon of Athens in 594 BC and enacted reforms that paved the way for democracy.

Solon abolished debt slavery, cancelled debts through the seisachtheia, limited the power of aristocrats, and promoted trade and craftsmanship. Politically, he introduced a system based on wealth rather than noble birth, dividing citizens into four property classes with different rights and responsibilities. 

His reforms gave broader access to political life, while his judicial reforms established the right of all citizens to appeal to courts and created the Heliaia, the people’s tribunal. Solon’s vision brought balance to Athenian society and laid the foundations for classical democracy.

Cicero – the voice of Roman law and eloquence

The façade also pays tribute to Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC), one of Rome’s greatest orators, philosophers, and jurists. Born into an equestrian family in Arpinum, Cicero rose to prominence as a defender of the Republic, resisting dictatorship and speaking out against Julius Caesar and, later, Mark Antony.

His rhetorical mastery and philosophical works influenced both Roman law and Western legal culture. Among his most famous treatises are De Oratore, De Republica, and De Legibus, which explore rhetoric, politics, and the philosophy of law. Even after his execution by order of Antony in 43 BC, Cicero’s legacy lived on, shaping political thought for centuries to come.

Papinian – the incorruptible jurist

Among the jurists honored on the building is Aemilius Papinianus (142–212 AD), known simply as Papinian, one of the greatest legal minds of the Roman Empire. He served under Emperor Septimius Severus and later became prefect of the praetorium under Caracalla.

Papinian is remembered for his integrity. After Caracalla murdered his brother Geta, Papinian refused to justify the fratricide before the Senate, an act of courage that cost him his life. Executed in 212 AD, he became a symbol of independence and justice. His works, such as Quaestiones and Responsa, became cornerstones of Roman legal thought and later influenced Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis.

Justinian – the emperor who shaped European law

Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus (482–565 AD), better known as Justinian the Great, is also immortalized on the façade. As emperor of the Byzantine Empire, he sought to restore the grandeur of Rome and is best remembered for codifying Roman law into the monumental Corpus Juris Civilis (529–534).

This codification included the Codex Justinianus, the Digest, the Institutes, and the Novellae, and became the foundation of modern European civil law. Beyond law, Justinian launched campaigns to reconquer lost Roman territories and commissioned architectural masterpieces such as the Hagia Sophia. His reign symbolizes the union of law, authority, and cultural achievement.

The symbolic bas-reliefs

The lateral wings of the Faculty of Law Palace are decorated with symbolic bas-reliefs sculpted by Mac Constantinescu. These scenes visually reinforce the themes of justice and legal tradition:

·       The liberation of a slave before Roman magistrates – an image of manumission, highlighting the ideals of justice, freedom, and human dignity.

·       Justinian surrounded by magistrates – a representation of collective legal effort and the emperor’s central role in shaping the law.

These works of art are not mere ornaments but visual lessons in justice, designed to inspire generations of law students.

A palace of justice and tradition

The Faculty of Law Palace is more than an academic building. It is an architectural and cultural monument that embodies Romania’s respect for legal tradition and its connection to the great figures of world jurisprudence. The initiative of Dean Nicolae Basilescu, supported by King Carol II and the government, as well as the artistry of Petre Antonescu and the sculptors who created its façade, turned the building into a symbolic temple of justice.

Through its statues and bas-reliefs, the palace does not only preserve the memory of illustrious lawgivers, but also serves as a constant reminder of the principles of justice, fairness, and discipline. In the heart of Bucharest, it stands as a guardian of legal education and a beacon for future generations of jurists.