Information
Landmark: Houses of ParliamentCity: Borgo Maggiore
Country: San Marino
Continent: Europe
Houses of Parliament, Borgo Maggiore, San Marino, Europe
Overview
The Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, stands as one of London’s most recognizable landmarks, with its soaring Gothic spires and deep ties to the nation’s political life.It’s the heart of Britain’s parliamentary life, a place where debates echo through centuries-old halls, and it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Here’s a closer look at the Houses of Parliament-their history, striking architecture, and role in politics-starting with the Palace of Westminster, which began in the 11th century as King Edward the Confessor’s royal home, its stone walls echoing with the shuffle of courtiers’ feet.Back in the medieval era, it served as the royal palace and the heart of government, where stone halls echoed with the voices of kings and courtiers.For centuries, the palace stood at the heart of English politics, hosting the first parliamentary meetings in the 1200s.Then, in 1834, a fire swept through, leaving only St Stephen’s Chapel and a handful of weathered rooms behind.The disaster made a massive rebuilding effort necessary.In the 1840s and 1850s, architect Charles Barry designed the new Palace of Westminster we know today, with Augustus Pugin shaping its intricate Gothic Revival details, from pointed arches to ornate stone carvings.Reconstruction wrapped up in 1876, and from then on the building housed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.The Palace of Westminster, with its soaring spires and lace-like stonework, stands as a Victorian Gothic masterpiece rich in grandeur, intricate detail, and layered symbolism.Key Architectural Feature – The Clock Tower (Big Ben): Now called the Elizabeth Tower, its chimes ring out over London, making it the building’s most instantly recognizable landmark.Inside, it holds the famous Big Ben bell, and its clock faces gleam in the sunlight, visible from every side of the palace.Rising 316 feet (96 meters) into the London sky, the clock tower is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, its ornate face a defining feature of the Palace of Westminster; inside the same complex, the House of Commons-Parliament’s lower chamber-is where MPs argue, negotiate, and vote laws into being.People know the room for its green benches and the worn dispatch box sitting squarely in the center.Here, the Prime Minister and the opposition leader face off in debate, seated close enough to catch each other’s expressions.The chamber’s plain design keeps MPs within arm’s reach, encouraging sharp exchanges and quick replies.The House of Lords, Parliament’s upper chamber, is filled with appointed members-life peers, bishops, and a few hereditary peers.The chamber glows with deep red velvet and gleaming gold, a nod to the traditions of Britain’s aristocracy and monarchy.Here, the Lords take a closer look at legislation from the Commons, their surroundings steeped in formality and ceremony.Nearby, Westminster Hall-the oldest part of the Palace-has echoed with centuries of history, from grand royal banquets to speeches that held the air in still silence.Built in 1097 under William II, the hall boasts a magnificent hammerbeam roof-its oak beams still dark with age-that was a marvel of medieval engineering and remains one of Europe’s oldest.The Central Lobby sits at the building’s heart, linking the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the public.The grand hall, crowned by a gleaming dome, hosts the British monarchy’s ceremonial entrance during the State Opening of Parliament, and the nearby Victoria Tower rises 323 feet-just edging out the height of the Elizabeth Tower.Built to honor Queen Victoria’s reign, it holds Parliament’s vital archives, including every law passed since 1497, their pages still smelling faintly of old paper.The Great Hall stands nearby, and St Stephen’s Hall-once the bustling chamber of the House of Commons before its move-still echoes with history.Today, it hosts ceremonial events and exhibitions, while the Great Hall-once echoing with the footsteps of newly crowned monarchs-served as a central meeting place for England’s medieval Parliament; the Palace of Westminster remains the heart of the United Kingdom’s political life.In the House of Commons, elected MPs argue over new laws, challenge government plans, and speak for the people-sometimes with voices echoing off the green leather benches.The House of Lords works as a revising chamber, using its expertise to fine-tune laws passed by the Commons.And while Parliament meets at the Palace, the monarch-Queen Elizabeth II in 2024-takes on a purely ceremonial role, opening sessions with the rustle of robes and the State Crown gleaming under the lights.Each year, the monarch opens Parliament with a formal ceremony-the State Opening-complete with a gilded coach rolling to Westminster, the reading of the Queen’s Speech, and the unveiling of the government’s plans.It’s one of the most significant dates on the UK’s political calendar.It signals the start of a new parliamentary session, when the chamber fills with the low rustle of papers and the scrape of chairs.Steeped in tradition, the ceremony begins with the Queen arriving at the Palace of Westminster in a gleaming state carriage, the clip of hooves echoing on the cobblestones, before joining a formal procession into the Lords chamber.She then delivers the Queen’s Speech, setting out the government’s priorities for the year ahead.The ruling government writes the speech, and the monarch delivers it with formal ceremony, voice steady beneath the high, echoing chamber.The Palace of Westminster serves not just as the heart of political life, but also draws crowds of visitors eager to walk its grand halls.Visitors can wander through the chambers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, admire carved stonework and gilded ceilings, and uncover the story of Britain’s government.Guided tours lead you through Westminster Hall, St Stephen’s Hall, and the central lobby, with the chance to watch a live debate when Parliament is in session.The Palace is open to the public when Parliament isn’t sitting, though access is more limited during debates.You can usually visit when Parliament’s not in session-during recess or on quiet days with no debates planned.The Palace of Westminster, with its soaring clock tower and centuries-old chambers, stands as a lasting emblem of British democracy, embodying both parliamentary sovereignty and the constitutional monarchy.It’s seen pivotal moments-heated debates, decisive votes, stirring speeches echoing through its halls-that helped shape the modern world, and it’s also starred in films, TV shows, and paintings, from sweeping period dramas to bold contemporary art.People often use it as a symbol of London and, by extension, all of Britain-like spotting a red double-decker bus on a rainy street.
