Palace of Westminster

• The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for the Parliament of the United Kingdom, situated in London, England.
• It is often referred to as the Houses of Parliament, named after the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two legislative chambers housed within.
• "Westminster" is a metonym for the UK Parliament, the British Government, and the Westminster system of government, all named after the palace.
• The Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, is a notable landmark in London and the UK.
• The palace was designated a Grade I listed building in 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
• Originally built in the 11th century as a royal palace, it served as the primary residence for English kings until 1512, when a fire destroyed the royal apartments.
• The monarch relocated to the Palace of Whitehall, but the remainder of the palace continued to host the Parliament of England, which had convened there since the 13th century.
• A major fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace, but the 12th-century Westminster Hall was preserved and integrated into the new structure.
• Charles Barry won the competition to design the replacement palace, opting for a Gothic Revival style.
• Construction began in 1840 and went on for 30 years, marked by delays, cost overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant, Augustus Pugin.
• The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch, covering an area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
• Significant repairs were necessary after World War II, including the reconstruction of the Commons chamber.
• Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the palace requires extensive repairs.

The Palace of Westminster in London is the meeting place for the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Often called the Houses of Parliament, it houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Designated as a Grade I listed building in 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.