The Parliament building in Melbourne since 1855 is the main administrative body of Victoria. Only in the period from 1901 to 1927 are met Parliament of Australia, which was later moved to Canberra. The building, built in the 19th century, is one of the best examples of civil architecture in Britain in the world.

Interestingly, the idea of ​​the construction of the building, which could meet the Parliament, was born even before the colony of Victoria gained full self-government. This idea occurred to the then Governor Charles La Trobe, who instructed his subordinates to find a suitable place for it. The place was chosen very well - on a hill from which you can see almost the entire city, because then the height of buildings should not exceed two floors. The architect was appointed grazed Charles, who is considered by his contemporaries, took a sample of his project City Hall in the English Leeds. Later, some significant changes to the project made another architect - Peter Kerr.

Building Houses of Parliament began in December 1855 and, by and large, lasted almost 70 years! In 1856, work was completed on the Legislative Assembly Halls Victoria and the Legislative Council of Victoria. Then it was two separate buildings, between which the street Bourke Street. In 1869, the library was built, and after 10 years - and the Queen's Hall lobby. During the gold rush - in 1880-90-ies - in front of the building looking out onto Spring Street, colonnade and portico added in the classical style, giving it a kind of monumentality. In 1893, the north wing added two, and 30 years later - in 1929 - added lounges. In general, the building project included also the construction of the dome, but the outbreak of the economic depression prevented implement this idea. Nevertheless, the question of the construction of the dome still occasionally occurs in the government - the last time such a proposal was made in 1992.