Westminster Palace - one of the mainsights of London. With its majestic and strict facade, it adorns the left bank of the Thames, from which the eponymous district of the city begins. Westminster Palace at the moment is not only a well-known monument of history and architecture. In the palace is the Parliament of the country. Numerous meetings of both chambers (lords and communities) are held in majestic palace interiors.
Westminster Palace, photo of which can be foundin each guidebook, nevertheless invariably makes an impression at the first acquaintance live. The magnificent building with a length of 300 meters covers an area of more than 3.2 hectares. In this vast territory there are more than 1200 different rooms. Going for a walk around the castle, it is worth considering that the total length of the corridors is about five kilometers, and that along the way you will have to overcome 100 stairs.
Originally the building was built as a palace forlife of the monarchs, but after the fire of 1834, many rooms and buildings were rendered unusable. Then the Wessminster Palace was rebuilt on a new project, which was executed in the Gothic style. The ancient medieval architecture of the palace has been preserved in the most beautiful hall for receptions, which is called Westminster Hall. Also, the unique Tower of Treasures has survived. The architects designed and erected it specifically to ensure that the treasury of Edward III was under reliable protection.
Westminster Palace, which existstoday, has a very peculiar and interesting design. The unusual layout of the interior is associated with a fire that damaged some buildings. Most of the damaged, but not destroyed structures were restored and included in the construction of a new palace.
Westminster Palace is known for its two towers,which frame its facade from the north and from the south. The clock tower, which is known to many as Big Ben, is the main symbol of the capital of Great Britain. This is the main clock of the country. The Victoria Tower on the other side of the palace serves as an entrance to the building for the royal family. During the sessions of the parliament it is customary to raise the state flag.
A noteworthy fact about the palace:it is not a simple museum. In it there are sessions of the parliament, whose annual discoveries have become one of the favorite traditions of the English. The solemn ceremony is attended by the Queen herself.
Currently, the palace building is available forvisiting tourists. Until 2004, this was legally prohibited. Now on the days when the parliament is leaving, thousands of tourists from all over the world have the opportunity to stroll through the halls and corridors of the majestic palace and see the rooms in which the history of the great power is still being created.
Unique architecture and rich history every yearattract thousands of tourists to London. Westminster Palace in the list of major attractions occupies an important place and does not leave indifferent anybody who visited it once.
