Parliament House, Parliament building in East Melbourne, Australia
Parliament House of Victoria is a neoclassical government building in East Melbourne with three floors and stone facades. Wide marble staircases lead through the interiors to both legislative chambers with their decorated wood paneling and tall windows.
Construction began in December 1855 on the two legislative chambers, and the first session of the Victorian Government opened there on 25 November 1856. The library and eastern wing followed between 1858 and 1860, and Queen's Hall and the vestibule were completed in 1879. From 1901 to 1927 the building housed the Parliament of Australia, after which the Victorian Parliament returned.
The chambers follow British traditions: the assembly shows green upholstery and carpets, while the council carries red tones. Visitors can see during tours the detailed wood carvings and ceiling paintings that frame daily parliamentary work.
Free guided tours run on days when no sessions are held, allowing access to the chambers and public areas. The entrance sits on Spring Street, where visitors can register at the information desk on the ground floor.
The original architectural plans included a large dome, but it was never built because funding ran out. The building has therefore stood technically incomplete for over a century, even though it is fully used.
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