The Palace of Westminster is the home to the UK Parliament. This building is in the neo-Gothic style and was almost entirely destroyed in 1834 due to a raging fire. This gothic style of the Palace of Westminster is very different from our own neo-classical style that almost all American government buildings are designed to imitate. The neo-Gothic style is more traditional and conservative, which was appealing to the English in power at that time. The Palace's style complimented the style of Westminster Abbey, which is right across the road and was there first. The Palace was designed after the fire by a man names Chares Berry with assistance from Augustus Pugin, who was experienced with Gothic architecture. The Palace contains the democratic aspects of the UK's government, such as the House of Commons, but it is named a palace for a reason. There are Royal Apartments and a throne for the monarch inside. Therefore, the Palace does represent a representative form of government, but it is also decorated with religious and royal imagery and symbolism and does not attempt to be strictly the people's house, as we might regard our Capitol or White House. The Palace sits right on the River Themes and sits on around eight acres. It dominates the landscape of the side of the river where it sits and is lit up very bright at night, visible to all on the other side of the river. The building is made out of limestone and is currently undergoing a long restoration since much of the stone is crumbling and overall, the building is deteriorating. The name of the Palace, Westminster, has become something greater than just a place and is used to refer to the system of government practiced within as well as the entire city it is located within.

Sources:

Riding, Christine. “Westminster: A New Palace for a New Age.” BBC, BBC, 7 Feb. 2005, www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_later/westminster_n....

“The Stonework.” UK Parliament, UK Parliament, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/pal....

“The Architects: Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin.” UK Parliament, UK Parliament, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/pal....