Westminster Hall is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, which is used as the meeting place for the British Parliament – the Hall is notable for being one of the only parts of the Palace that remains almost entirely in its original form. The Hall was built during the reign of William II in 1097 and finished construction two years later. Measuring 73 by 20 metres (240 by 67 feet), the Hall was the largest residence in England and smaller more practical halls were built nearby to be used by the royal family on a regular basis.
King Richard II is largely responsible for adding embellishments to the Hall, such as the 13 statues of the England’s kings dating back to Edward the Confessor, which remain in the Hall today. During World War II, an active decision by Walter Elliot prevented the Hall from being destroyed and only minimal repairs were needed. As one of England’s most treasured sites, Westminster Hall continues to be maintained and repaired as needed.
