PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

FACTS

• The hall is the only thing still standing
• 1,100 rooms
• Gothic Revival style
• Royal home to kings and queens during the Middle Ages
• Iconic home of UK parliament today
• Also named "House of Lords"

WESTMINSTER FIRE

• Fire started in October 1834
• Blaze was caused by tally sticks. The sticks were used for accounting purposes. The sticks were not disposed of correctly.
• Only Westminster Hall, a chapel, and a few other parts of the palace survived the fire.
• Rebuilding of the palace began in 1840, and was completed in1870.
• Architect Charles Barry was in charge of the rebuild.

Untitled Slide

Elizabeth Tower --
Big Ben

BIG BEN

• Located in the north eastern end of the palace.
• Big Ben refers to the Elizabeth Tower, the clock, and the Great Bell.
• Tower construction began in 1843 and was completed in 1859.

Palace of Westminster Today

TODAY...

• The Palace can be toured on Saturdays and in the summer.
• Visitors can attend Parliament debates, watch committee hearings, and tour inside

THE END