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 Houses of Parliament |
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Also known as the Palace of Westminster , the Houses of Parliament were built in 1042 as the royal residence of Edward the Confessor . Westminster Hall was built between 1087 and 1100 and is the oldest part of the palace still in existence, having survived the various fires that destroyed other parts of the Palace at various times in the past. Following one fire in 1512, Henry VIII abandoned the palace and it became the home to the two seats of Parliament, the Commons and the Lords. Also, from that point on, no monarch lived in the palace. Another major fire broke out in 1834, almost completely destroying the Palace and leaving only Westminster Hall and the Jewel Tower untouched. The successful reconstruction resulted in the structure that exists today.
Today, the Palace of Westminster is one of the most popular and visited tourist attractions in London . It is classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visitors may watch debates taking place in the public galleries of the House of Commons or the House of Lords, and there are tours of the palace during Parliamentary sessions, though foreign visitors may have to apply for special permits for this tour.
Address: Parliament Square, Westminster, St. Margaret Street
Telephone: 0207 219 53 53
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