Stormont Castle, Belfast, United Kingdom

Stormont Castle is a mansion in east Belfast which is used as the main meeting place of the Northern Ireland Executive. It was never a castle as such: the original building was reworked in the nineteenth century in the Scottish baronial style with features such as bartizans used for decorative purposes.

Between 1921 and 1972, it served as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. However, a number of prime ministers chose to live at Stormont House, the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, which was empty as a number of speakers had chosen to live in their own homes. It also served as the location of the Cabinet Room of the Government of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1972.

Before devolution it served as the Belfast headquarters of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Office Ministers and supporting officials. During the Troubles, it was also used by MI5 officers.

The castle is open to the public each year on the European Heritage Open Day weekend.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

User Reviews

gavin murray (4 years ago)
Not open to the public

Trần Trung Nguyễn (5 years ago)
Amazing castle!

A Z (6 years ago)
Wonderful free tour. Enjoyed refreshments. Great space outside to relax or exercise.

alan stewart (6 years ago)
Ist time to visit this iconic place. Beautiful interior no expense spared. Interesting to see the 1st minister and deputy minister's office. Also enjoyed the lovely grounds.

Montgomery Hemingway (6 years ago)
Scots baronial house. Liked the old groundskeepers cottages at the back of the greenhouse

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The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

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