Palace of Westminster: History and Significance

• The Palace of Westminster is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets.
• The Palace of Westminster is in London, England.
• It is commonly called the Houses of Parliament, named after the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• "Westminster" is a metonym for the UK Parliament, the British Government, and the Westminster system of government.
• The Elizabeth Tower, nicknamed Big Ben, is a landmark of London and the UK.
• The palace has been a Grade I listed building since 1970.
• It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
• Originally constructed in the 11th century as a royal palace.
• It served as the primary residence of the kings of England until 1512.
• A fire in 1512 destroyed the royal apartments, prompting the monarch to move 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 larger fire in 1834 destroyed most of the palace.
• The 12th-century Westminster Hall survived and was incorporated into the replacement building.
• 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 overruns, and the deaths of Barry and his assistant, Augustus Pugin.
• Contains chambers for the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the monarch.
• The palace has a floor area of 112,476 m2 (1,210,680 sq ft).
• Extensive repairs were necessary after the Second World War.
• The destroyed Commons chamber needed rebuilding.
• The palace requires major repairs despite ongoing conservation efforts.

Explore the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of the UK Parliament. Learn about its history as a royal residence, its destruction by fire, and its current role in British government. Discover its architectural significance and UNESCO World Heritage status.