Palace of Westminster: History and Architecture

What is the Palace of Westminster commonly called?

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of which entity?

What is 'Westminster' used as a metonym for?

What is the Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster nicknamed?

In what year did the Palace of Westminster become a Grade I listed building?

Until what year was the Palace of Westminster the primary residence of the kings of England?

What significant event in 1834 affected the Palace of Westminster?

Who won the competition to design the new Palace of Westminster after the fire?

What architectural style was chosen for the rebuilt Palace of Westminster?

What is one of the reasons that the Palace of Westminster is in urgent need of major repairs?

Palace of Westminster

Original use of the Palace

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, located in London, England.
It is commonly called the Houses of Parliament, named after the chambers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
"Westminster" is a metonym for the UK Parliament and the British Government and commemorates the Westminster system of government, named after the palace.
The Elizabeth Tower, nicknamed Big Ben, is a landmark of London and the United Kingdom.
The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Originally constructed in the eleventh century, it served as a royal palace and primary residence of the kings of England until 1512.
A fire in 1512 destroyed the royal apartments, prompting the monarch to move to the adjacent Palace of Whitehall.
The remainder of the palace continued to host the Parliament of England, which had been meeting there since the 13th century.
In 1834, a second, larger fire destroyed most of the palace, except for the twelfth-century Westminster Hall, which was incorporated into the replacement building.
Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace, opting for a Gothic Revival style.
Construction started in 1840 and lasted for 30 years, experiencing 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 with a floor area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
Extensive repairs were necessary after the Second World War, including rebuilding the destroyed Commons chamber.
Despite ongoing conservation work, the palace is in urgent need of major repairs.

Explore the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the UK Parliament in London. Originally a royal palace, it now houses the House of Commons and House of Lords. Learn about its historical significance, architectural features, and its role in the Westminster system of government.