The Senate House of the University of Cambridge is the most famous university building in Cambridge. It was formerly used for meetings of the Council of the Senate but is now used mainly for degree ceremonies. At the end of the academic year, class lists for most degrees are posted up on the outer wall of the building.
The Senate House was built in 1722-1730 by the architect James Gibbs in a neo-classical Palladian style using Portland stone. The capitals of the columns and pilasters copied from the temple of Jupiter Stator at Rome. It was officially opened in July 1730, although the western end was not completed until 1768.
The ‘Warwick Vase’ in the middle of the court was a gift to the university in 1842 from the Chancellor Hugh Percy, 3rd Duke of Northumberland, it is a bronze copy of a 2nd century marble Roman urn once owned by Hadrian. The stone base was added in 1936 with an inscription carved by Eric Gill. It can only be seen up close on graduation days, the only time people are allowed to walk on the grass.