The European Parliament is located in Strasbourg and met for the first time on 10thSeptember 1952.
Since 1949 Strasbourg has become the seat of the Council of Europe, then in 1958 of the European Parliamentary Assembly, which in 1962 changed its name to the European Parliament.
It is one of the oldest common European institutions but started as the Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community.
Over the decades, the institution has undergone profound changes: from an assembly composed of appointed members it has become an elected parliament, recognized as the main political actor of the European Union.
Today, the European Parliament represents the approximately 450 million European citizens. It is composed of 720 deputies elected for 5 years. It has legislative, budgetary and political control powers.
The glass and metal building has a 13,000 m² glass façade, which is reflected in the water of the River Ill, and is a symbol of the democratic transparency of the European Union.
The elliptical and excavated tower, 60 meters long, is a symbol of the European project under construction and on its outside, there are the flags of the 27 states of the European Union.
It has a total area of 220,000 m² and includes a hemicycle with over 750 seats, the largest in Europe.
Inside the parliament there are more than 1,100 offices, 18 rooms used by MEPs, television and radio studios, numerous press rooms, bars and two restaurants for a total of 1200 seats.
The European Parliament has its official seat in Strasbourg, where MEPs meet one week a month in plenary session.
The European Union has 3 institutional seats: Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.
Strasbourg is the official seat and hosts plenary sessions, i.e., meetings where all MEPs meet to vote on laws and debate.
Brussels is the place where preparatory activities, such as meetings of parliamentary committees and political groups, are held.
Luxembourg is home to the General Secretariat of the European Parliament, the administrative apparatus.
