A QUARTER of a century ago when Italian architect Romaldo Giurgola dreamed about the finished Parliament House building, he imagined the scene he finally witnessed on Saturday.
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Almost 10,000 people walked through the doors to tour the secret back rooms of power, political intrigue and scandals.
The 92-year-old, who celebrates his birthday next month, said visiting the building was a rejuvenating experience.
''It's a good feeling because it's become the place I always dreamed it would be, people wandering around enjoying the place,'' Mr Giurgola said.
''Obviously it cannot happen everyday because people work here, but that it happens occasionally is wonderful. It's a glorious day.''
The Corbett-Jones family from Griffith agreed. Callum, 8, and Chloe, 3, were taken with one of the Australian flags that usually sits atop the flagmast 81 metres above the building. Hung in the Great Hall, one flag is the size of a double-decker bus and there are 10 in rotation. But folded up it fits in to a large laundry bag.
Xanthe Corbett-Jones said it was important to show children where democracy and Australian politics took place.
''We haven't really been inside with the children before, but living in Canberra it's especially important,'' Mrs Corbett-Jones said.
And while visitors were not able to take photographs of the Prime Minister's office and the cabinet room, the doors were thrown open and they were able to look inside.
For 9-year-old Teal Penfold of Kaleen, this was the highlight.
''It's excellent seeing where the Prime Minister works,'' she said.