South Australia’s Parliament House is situated on the corner of North Terrace and King William. This classically designed building features majestic marble columns, Corinthian capitals and keystone portrayals of nineteenth century governors, presidents and speakers.
The South Australia Parliament began in 1857, when the colony was granted self-government. Women gained the right to vote and stand for election in 1895. In 1901 South Australia became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia following a vote to Federate with the other British colonies of Australia.
This impressive and imposing building was built between 1883 to 1889. Many angry debates occurred during its planning and construction. These arguments which raged between 1872 and 1886 involved the designs which were originally provided by E.W. Wright and Lloyd Taylor of Melbourne.
The designs were consequently modified until finally the Government Architect-in-Chief, E. J. Woods, was asked to supervise construction by the Kapunda Marble and Building Company. Marble from Kapunda was used for the walls and granite from West Island near Victor Harbor for the base.
£100,000 was donated for the second stage of building by Sir J. Langdon in 1936 for the second stage, and this included the central and eastern sections, which were opened on 5 June 1939. A central dome was also planned for this stage but unfortunately the money ran out before it could be built.
Ten Corinthian columns were built in the portico instead of six, and these, along with two curved sets of steps, form part of the North Terrace facade of Parliament House.
Today, visitors are welcome whenever parliament is sitting or they may take advantage of free tours which are available on non-sitting weekdays at 10am and 2pm. Question Time is a popular highlight at 2pm on sitting days.
