In the world of architecture there are buildings that stand out for their monumentality and the historical impact they represent. This is the case of a building which, without belonging to powers like the United States or China, was honestly won the title of largest civil building in the world.
Located in a European capital little known for mass tourism, this architectural work has witnessed decades of urban transformation, political crises and debates about its relevance.
What is the largest civil building in the world and its history
Located in the heart of Bucharesthe Palace of Parliament It is the largest civil building in the world. It was designed in the 1980s by architect Anca Petrescu, who led a team of more than 700 architects and oversaw construction that changed the face of the city.
To raise this structure, Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu ordered the demolition of a fifth of Bucharest’s historic center. More than 10,000 homes, churches and historic buildings were razed, displacing 57,000 people.
The project, initially called “People’s House”, was proposed as a demonstration of the power of the Communist Party and was intended to become the political-administrative epicenter of Romania. Despite its association with the communist regime, after the dictator’s fall in 1989 it was decided to continue construction due to the high costs that demolition would entail.
How tall and heavy is the Palace of Parliament?
The Palace of Parliament is a pharaonic work which impresses both by its size and by the resources used in its construction. Some key figures of the building include:
- Dimensions: 86 meters high above ground, 92 meters deep underground and 12 floors, in addition to eight underground levels.
- Materials:
- 1,000,000 cubic meters of marble.
- 900,000 cubic meters of noble wood.
- 700,000 tons of steel.
- 3,500 tons of glass.
- 220,000 square meters of carpet.
- Decoration: More than 15,000 chandeliers adorn the rooms, some with up to 7,000 bulbs.
- Spaces: 1,100 rooms, including 440 offices, 40 meeting rooms, 4 restaurants, 3 libraries and 1 concert hall.
The building, with a total weight of 4.1 million tonnesis recognized as the heaviest building in the world.
The Palace of Parliament and the controversies it hides
The construction of the world’s largest civilian building has been surrounded by controversy. Not only were resources equivalent to a third of the allocated national budget, but exclusively Romanian materials were used.
This was interpreted as an attempt by the regime to foster national pride, but at the expense of the population, facing an economic and social crisis.
The work, officially completed in 1997, was marked by political regime changes and criticism for its impact on Bucharest’s architectural heritage. However, its architectural and symbolic value has made it a tourist attraction and an emblem of the city.
Other records for the largest civil building in the world
In addition to being the largest civil building in the world, the Palace of Parliament holds other records:
- It is the second largest building in the world by area, surpassed only by the Pentagon.
- It is the most expensive administrative building, with an estimated cost of $3 billion.
- It houses a nuclear bunker and advanced security systems.
What you can visit at the Palace of Parliament
Today the building is accessible to visitors. Even if 70% of its 330,000 square meters remain unused, You can visit certain areas such as:
- The main hall, which extends over 120 meters.
- Official rooms decorated with mosaics, marble and glass.
- Spaces used for events and meetings of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
It should be noted that advance reservations are required to enter and security is provided by the Romanian Information Service (SRI).
