Description of the attraction
Buckingham Palace - the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II in London, is located in the Westminster area. This swampy area along the banks of the Tyburn River has changed many owners - from Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror to the monks of Westminster Abbey and King George III. It was he who decided to make Buckingham House a royal residence, since St. James's Palace gradually fell into disrepair and became inconvenient for living.
In 1837, upon the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace was declared the official residence of the British monarchs. By this time, architects John Nash and Edward Blore (author of the Alupka Palace) had built a complex of four buildings that form a square with a courtyard. Construction continued under Queen Victoria, with the Ballroom being built - the largest room in the palace, 36.6 meters long and 18 meters wide. In total, according to official information, there are 775 rooms in the palace - 19 ceremonial halls, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff rooms, 92 service rooms and 78 bathrooms. The building itself is 108 meters long, 120 meters wide, and reaches 24 meters in height.
More than 50,000 people annually visit Buckingham Palace as officially invited guests to banquets, dinners, or Royal Garden Receptions, a tradition introduced by Queen Victoria. The first thing that guests see when crossing the threshold of the palace is the Great Hall and the marble steps of the Great Staircase. The portraits on the walls are the same as they were under Queen Victoria.
The first thing that attracts attention in the Throne Room is the arch, which is supported by two winged "victory" figures. The Throne Room now hosts receptions for special occasions and takes official royal wedding photographs. Through the East Gallery you can get to the Ballroom, where receptions and concerts are held. The western gallery leads to the other official halls of the palace - the Blue, White and Yellow drawing rooms and the Music Hall. These rooms are open to the public in August and September.
