Banqueting House, Whitehall

The Banqueting House in Whitehall, Westminster, London ( UK), is the only remaining building of Whitehall Palace, which burned down in 1698.

Architecture

The Banqueting House was built by Inigo Jones, who was inspired by the buildings of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio, for the Stuart King James I from 1619 to 1622. It is the third banquet facilities at this location. The first hall was demolished under James I, the second destroyed by fire. The third building London got his first neo-classical building. The Banqueting House was his time a milestone in the history of English architecture and established the so-called Palladian Style ( Palladian ). Was used to build mainly Portland stone, from which the present facade.

Ceiling painting

The ceiling paintings in the royal banquet hall coming from the painter Peter Paul Rubens. The paintings are a tribute to the rulers of the Stuart dynasty, in particular to James I. Rubens himself is said to have created nine paintings of this coffered ceiling. He was awarded the then enormous sum of 3,000 pounds and was knighted.

Area size

The showpiece of the building is the double cubic banquet hall with 17 × 34 × 17 meters in the first and second floor, which is divided without false ceiling, only by a revolving gallery. Ionic columns support the gallery, strive from which Corinthian columns from ceiling to floor, the magnificent and valuable part of the banquet hall.

Today the building is open as a tourist attraction. A bust over the entrance is a reminder that, King Charles I was executed on January 30, 1649 in front of the building.