Parliament House

Parliament House is one of many Melbourne’s historic impressive buildings, significantly linked to its evolution as an Australian city. Considered as the biggest 19th century structure in the entire continent it has long been the official Victorian Parliament residence since its establishment in 1855, although this temporarily stopped from 1901 up to 1927. The area was then used by the Australian Parliament while it waited for its own Parliament House in Canberra to be completed.

In any case, the Parliament House in Melbourne is quite impressive because it is the perfect example of the architectural style prevalent during the British Empire era. It has lavish interiors fashioned by Peter Kerr, with its construction completed in several stages covering between 1856 up to 1929. Two chambers, the Victorian Legislative Council and the Victorian Legislative Assembly, initially underwent construction, followed by a library four years later, then by the Queen's Hall in 1879.

In the midst of the gold rush fever of 1880, the Parliament House underwent a minor face-lift as a portico and a colonnade was added at its entrance side. The design eventually gave the building a monumental appearance, and this would have been even more emphasized had a dome been created. Part of the original design, the dome plan was abandoned because of the appearance of a depression at the ceiling.

Inside the Parliament House, several areas are sure to inspire awe from most visitors. One is the Queen's Hall which was erected in 1887, and was formerly known as Grand Hall before it took on its present name in honor of Queen Victoria. Traditionally, Queen's Hall served as the main venue for formal banquets and parliamentary receptions.
Side by side with the construction of the Queen's Hall was the establishment of a Vestibule or entrance hall for the Parliament House. This particular area boasts of floors completely made of Minton tiles, intricately arranged to form a virtual mosaic and serves as the official Parliament House main entrance.

There are two chambers inside the Parliament House solely dedicated for legislative functions. These are the Legislative Council which serves as the upper chamber, and the Legislative Assembly which is also known as the lower chamber or house. Work inside these two chambers began in late 1856 even as architect Kerr had not yet completed his official design of the structure. They stand as two separate buildings, carved out of bluestone and are three-stories high.

At the east wing of the House, one can find the parliament library characterized by curving staircases, numerous books and a ten-cornered table ideally situated in the center. Slanting gas lights emanating from the eastern-based windows illuminate the place. Originally constructed in 1858, the library took two long years before it finally reached its completion stage.

These are the more historically important Parliament House areas. Other significant places can also be found, like the refreshment room found at the northeastern side, but this area is essentially a latter addition to provide the building with a more modern appearance.