History
History
The history of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and of its headquarters, the Peace Palace, are indissociable.
In 1899, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was established during the First Hague Peace Conference as the first global mechanism for the settlement of international disputes.
To support the mission of the Court, its Founding States decided to build a dedicated courthouse to encourage States to resolve their disputes peacefully: the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s Palace of Peace.
The building’s design was the result of an international architecture competition. In late 1903, the Netherlands Government appointed an Advisory and Preparatory Commission to determine the requirements for a court house suitable for the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The Commission arranged to visit law courts and libraries in a number of countries and adopted the initial program of requirements in February 1904. After a decision was reached on the site for envisaged court house, the final programme for the competition was published in August 1905 and an international jury appointed to choose between the 216 entries received from architects around the world.
The winning entry was submitted by French architect Louis M. Cordonnier and combines Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival architectural elements, with symbols of peace and justice.
While the construction was funded through private donations from notable philanthropists, including Andrew Carnegie, the project also saw significant contributions from the PCA’s Founding States, each eager to support the mission of the Permanent Court of Arbitration by providing the Court with a proper courthouse.
At the Second Peace Conference in 1907, French delegate Baron d’Estournelles de Constant proposed that all participating States contribute resources toward the construction of the Peace Palace:
“The new edifice will be the palace of all the peoples of the earth. Is it not fitting that it should be constructed with material from all countries? It will thus be as suitable in its origin as in its purpose. It will be created of the substance of all for the use of all. […]
Greece and Italy could furnish their marbles, America and Asia their woods and precious metals, Germany, England, Russia, France, Japan and Spain and all the countries of the earth their masterpieces of national art. The individual expense for each country would be almost nothing, while such objects would constitute one of the world’s most unique collections, well worthy of our International Court of Arbitration.”
The suggestion was well received, and during its plenary session on 16 October 1907, the Conference formally expressed the hope that each signatory government of the Hague Convention would assist in building the Palace of the Permanent Court of Arbitration by providing, in coordination with the architect, materials for construction and decoration, along with artworks showcasing the finest examples of their national craftsmanship. The aim was for the Court’s headquarters—the symbol of universal goodwill and hope—to be built from contributions representing all nations.
The result is a granite, sandstone and red-brick building incorporating elements from different architectural traditions that represent the diverse cultural inputs at the heart of the PCA. Countries around the world donated materials and artworks, enriching the palace with their unique heritage. Italy provided marble, Norway and Sweden gave granite, while Germany contributed the iron gates. Brazil gifted precious woods for the panelling and Switzerland donated the clock in the bell tower, which bears an insignia saying “Möchte ich mit meiner Geläut den aufrichtigen Frieden verkünden” (“May my bells proclaim the sound of peace”). These donations were not merely decorative but represented the PCA’s Founding States shared commitment to the ideals of peace and justice.
The interiors of the Peace Palace form a mosaic of artistic treasures reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the PCA’s Founding Nations. Each piece tells a story, beginning with Japan’s exquisite silk tapestries that grace the walls of the PCA’s Administrative Council Chamber — delicate threads woven by forty-eight thousand skilled artists over the course of five years. From Türkiye, a Hereke rug spreads across the floor, its intricate patterns reflecting the country’s rich textile heritage. Denmark gifted a porcelain fountain, China gave precious Qing dynasty vases, and the stained glass windows were gifts from various nations, each depicting themes of justice and peace.
In addition to housing the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s International Bureau since 1913 and the International Court of Justice since 1946, the Peace Palace also serves as the PCA’s main hearing facilities and hosts dozens of international arbitration hearings every year.