Palace of Westminster: History and Overview

What is the Palace of Westminster commonly called?

Which tower of the Palace of Westminster is nicknamed Big Ben?

In what year did a fire destroy the royal apartments of the Palace of Westminster, leading the monarch to move?

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

What is 'Westminster' a metonym for?

When did construction start on the new Palace of Westminster after the fire?

Westminster Hall, which survived the 1834 fire, dates back to which century?

What is the primary function of the Palace of Westminster?

Since what year has the Palace of Westminster been a Grade I listed building?

Prior to the fire, until what year was the Palace of Westminster the primary residence of the kings of England?

Palace of Westminster

House of Commons and House of Lords

Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)

Overview

The Palace of Westminster is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets, situated in London, England.
Frequently referred to as the Houses of Parliament, named after the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
It is a central hub for UK political activity.
"Westminster" is a term used to represent the UK Parliament, the British Government and the Westminster system of government.
The Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, is a famous London and UK landmark.
The Palace of Westminster has been a Grade I listed building since 1970.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

History

Originally built in the eleventh century as a royal palace.
It served as the main residence for English kings until 1512.
A fire in 1512 led the monarch to relocate to the Palace of Whitehall.
The remainder of the Palace continued to host the Parliament of England, which had been meeting there since the 13th century.
A major fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace.
Westminster Hall, dating back to the twelfth century, was preserved and integrated into the new building.

Reconstruction

Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace, opting for a Gothic Revival style.
Construction began in 1840 and took 30 years.
Delays, budget increases, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant Augustus Pugin occurred during construction.
The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
It covers an area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
Significant repairs were required after World War II, including the reconstruction of the Commons chamber.
The palace is currently in need of major repairs despite previous conservation efforts.

Explore the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the UK Parliament in London. Learn about its transition from a royal palace to the heart of British politics. Discover its historical significance and architectural details.