Westminster Palace
The Palace of Westminster is the hallmark of the capital of Great Britain, and the seat of its Parliament, consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The architectural complex, also known as Parliament, is located in the Westminster district. This architectural masterpiece includes the historical sights of London, the main of which are Westminster Hall and the towers of Big Ben and Victoria.
The Palace of Westminster was built on a marshy area, which was artificially drained, near the banks of the Thames. Its length is almost three kilometers.
The first building of the architectural complex was built in 1042 in the Neo-Gothic style by order of the ruler Edward the Confessor as the residence of the kings.
On two sides of the Palace of Westminster, in the north and south, two towers have been erected – the square-shaped Victoria Tower and the huge clock tower of St. Stephen. The second name of the Big Ben clock tower comes from the name of the big bell. This tower, which has the largest clock with the most precise mechanism, has become the main attraction of London.
The Victoria Tower was designed to save important documents. Queen Victoria herself laid the foundation stone during its construction.
The facades of the palace, along with its towers, are decorated with stone carvings.
Westminster Hall was intended for meetings of the Supreme Court of England and coronation banquets. This architectural creation was considered the most elegant in all of Europe. In the 14th century, Westminster Hall was rebuilt, replacing the wooden roof. Over the years, the building has been constantly being rebuilt and expanded. For five centuries, the largest trials have been held in the building. It was here that Charles I, Thomas More, was sentenced to death.
In 1834, a fire almost completely destroyed the castle. We had to build the building in a new way. Restoration work took place during 1840-1888. Westminster Hall was the center of the country's historical events until the 19th century.
The new building of the Palace of Westminster is the largest building in the world, which includes 1,200 rooms and halls, 100 staircases.
All the time it was the residence of the rulers, only since 2004 visitors began to be allowed into the palace. This happens during the parliamentary recess, which lasts from August 7 to September 16. At this time, everyone can view the former royal apartments, but only native Englishmen are allowed to enter St. Stephen's Tower.
The House of Lords is considered the richest, there are many paintings, frescoes, statuettes, stained glass windows. Animals and birds are depicted on the ceiling. There is luxurious furniture, including a royal throne. The southern part of the building is the House of Commons. Her jewelry is much more modest. There are balconies for the press.
The complex of the Palace of Westminster is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
