Comenius Tower
The Comenius Tower at the Court of Justice of the European Union is named after Jan Amos Komenský, a philosopher and educator who championed universal education and the promotion of languages as a gateway to knowledge. Part of the Court’s fourth extension of the Palais, the tower features a striking golden façade, giving it a unique architectural identity. It is home to many of the Court’s administrative services.
Who was Comenius?
Philosopher and pedagogue Jan Amos Komenský, known as “Comenius” (1592-1670), was the first advocate for universal education. Convinced that social advancement should be the product of education rather than birth, he fought for equal opportunities and education for all, regardless of wealth, religion or gender. Heralded as the father of modern education, Comenius also revolutionised methods for teaching languages, in particular Latin, the language of knowledge, to encourage as many people as possible to learn it. Translated into some 15 languages, his textbooks were, for more than a century, the most widely used textbooks in Europe, which contributed to the expansion of multilingualism as a gateway to knowledge.
The Comenius Tower and its role at the Court
By honouring the name of Comenius, who travelled throughout Europe promoting more open and inclusive teaching of languages, the Court of Justice of the European Union highlights the importance of multilingualism. The Court also pays tribute to those who protect Europe’s linguistic diversity.
The Comenius Tower is part of the fourth extension of the Palais.
Its golden colour comes from an anodised aluminium mesh that acts as a sunshade. This same mesh has also been used in the other buildings at the Court, to create a unified architectural whole. This intricate metal weave gives the tower its distinctive identity through the pattern of its structure, the brightness of its texture and the depth of its layers.
The Comenius Tower’s 26 floors reach a height of 103 metres. At the time of its inauguration in December 2008 – alongside its twin, the Montesquieu Tower – the Comenius Tower was the tallest building in the country. It has since been surpassed by the Rocca Tower.
Today, the Comenius Tower is home to many of the Court’s administrative services, such as the Research and Documentation, IT, Human Resources, Buildings and Security, and Finance Directorates.
