Palace of Westminster

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The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, in central London, England.

History

The site of the Palace of Westminster was strategically important during the Middle Ages, and it was the primary residence of the Kings of England from the 11th century until 1512, when a fire destroyed much of the complex. The current Gothic Revival structure was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin after another fire in 1834 destroyed the old palace. Construction began in 1840 and was completed in 1876.

Architecture

The Palace of Westminster is an exemplar of the Gothic Revival architecture style. The design incorporates a variety of towers, the most famous being the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Great Bell of the clock known as Big Ben. The complex includes over 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases, and 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) of passageways.

Function

The Palace serves as the meeting place for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is located in the north wing, while the House of Lords is situated in the south wing. The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords is used during the State Opening of Parliament.

Notable Features

• Westminster Hall: The oldest existing part of the Palace, dating back to 1097.
• Central Lobby: The central point of the Palace, where constituents can meet their Members of Parliament.
• St Stephen's Hall: Built on the site of the royal chapel of St Stephen's.
• Victoria Tower: The tallest tower at the south-west end of the Palace.

Security

The Palace of Westminster is a high-security area, protected by armed police and security measures. It has been the target of various attacks and plots throughout history, including the famous Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Related Pages

• Parliament of the United Kingdom
• House of Commons of the United Kingdom
• House of Lords
• Big Ben
• Westminster Hall
• Gothic Revival architecture
• City of Westminster
• State Opening of Parliament