Palace of Westminster: History and Significance

Study Notes

The Palace of Westminster, located in London, is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets.
It's often called the Houses of Parliament, named after the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
"Westminster" is a term referring to the UK Parliament, the British Government, and the Westminster system of government.
The Elizabeth Tower, also known as Big Ben, is a famous London and UK landmark.
It has been a Grade I listed building since 1970
It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Originally built in the 11th century as a royal palace, it was the main residence of English kings until 1512.
A fire in 1512 destroyed the royal apartments, leading the monarch to move to the Palace of Whitehall.
Parliament of England had been meeting there since the 13th century.
In 1834, a second fire destroyed most of the palace, but Westminster Hall from the 12th century was saved.
Charles Barry won the competition to design the new palace, choosing a Gothic Revival style.
Construction began in 1840 and lasted 30 years, facing delays, cost issues, and the deaths of Barry and Augustus Pugin.
The palace includes chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
Its floor area covers 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
Major repairs were necessary after World War II, including rebuilding the Commons chamber.
The palace requires significant repairs despite ongoing conservation efforts.