United States Capitol

One of the most iconic buildings in Washington, DC—the United States Capitol serves as the heart of American democracy. The Capitol offers stunning views of the building from the front with its neoclassical architecture. The entrance is also an important site for presidential inaugurations and public ceremonies. At the US Capitol, visitors can enjoy touring the beautiful building and learning about its history, and legislative processes. 

 

 

What to Know

The United States capitol is a symbol of democratic government across the globe. It’s the place where the nation's issues are debated and written into law. It is managed by the Architect of the Capitol, which is responsible for the United States Capitol and other congressional buildings such as the Capitol Grounds and the Library of Congress.

 

The Capitol’s Iron Dome is a thing of beauty and is admired by many because of its ingenious engineering. It weighs around 9 million pounds. The idea behind the dome was inspired by classical European domes such as Panthéon in Paris, St. Paul’s in London, and St. Isaac’s in St. Petersburg. Thomas U. Walter designed the dome and is the genius behind it. There used to be a wooden dome which was replaced by the iron dome— but the original rotunda walls are still there as the foundation for the dome. The construction of the dome was a real challenge, also because the civil war broke out during that time. 

 

Atop the dome stands the Statue of Freedom, a bronze statue. The helmet on the head of Freedom is encircled with stars and with an eagle’s head and feathers. Her long, beautiful, and curly hair is flowing down her back. She is covered with a fur-trimmed robe, and the dress is secured with a brooch inscribed with the words US. In her right hand is a sheathed sword and in her left hand, a laurel wreath of victory.

 

The rotunda is another thing of beauty, and anyone who sees it for the first time is in complete awe. Also, you will find the stunning fresco of Washington inside the dome. Apart from the Rotunda, the Statuary Hall, with 35 statues is wonderful to look at. Some statues are very famous like Rosa Parks. And some statues are not very well-known such as Hannibal Hamlin and Norman Borlaug. Most of the time, you will definitely find two things inside the statuary hall: the tour groups strolling around the room and members of Congress. The tour groups usually don’t notice the members of the Congress.

 

The Emancipation Hall is named after the people who majorly constructed the building. This hall is the entry point of the Capitol and is filled with statues. Here you can also find a replica of the Statue of Victory. The hall commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States and honors the contributions of enslaved people and the fight for freedom. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared the freedom of the people in Confederate-held territories. The space serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and struggles made by the African-American people to fight for freedom. 

 

Next is the iconic Rotunda, the massive round room just under the dome. You can find four huge paintings here with colonial themes. And they are crowned with a mural called “The Apotheosis of Washington”. It signifies the nation's first president, George Washington, ascending to the heavens in glory. It was painted by Constantino Brumidi in 1865. It is flanked by female figures and further surrounded by six groups of figures. 

 

Also, the frieze is wonderfully detailed with the nation's early days events and is 8 feet high. It contains a painted panorama that showcases the important events in American history. The frieze is the work of three artists: Allyn Cox, Filippo Costaggini, and Constantino Brumidi. It is painted in the monochromes of whites and browns.

 

Next, you can see the Old Supreme Court and Senate Chambers. It’s so amazing that these small rooms were enough for the US government. The Old Senate Chamber in the North Wing was in use but after 1859, it is no longer in use. The Old Supreme Court is very peaceful and relaxing. You can also get passes to the House and Senate Chambers. Sitting in these rooms and listening to democracy in action is just amazing. 

 

The United States Capitol might remind you of the events of January 6. They were barbaric and seemed unbelievable. Because the dome itself seems impenetrable, but the mob entered anyway, rather forcefully. So, the idea of democracy that we have in our minds and the capitol’s stability is not as strong as we think it is. The 200+ years of history and the sturdy foundations were compromised when the mob breached the doors of this building. It might’ve been a protest at the start, but it became a terrorist attack. The protests are not something new about Washington city and happen every now and then at the Lincoln Memorial, White House, and many other places. It is the right of people to protest and let the government know that they are angry. But this was something else. The mob assaulted the Members of Congress and disrupted the course of democracy. The injured people and the death of people are proof of this terrorism.

 

This attack left lasting effects on U.S. politics and security measures at government buildings. But All in all, the US Capitol should be visited by people to celebrate that it’s still standing and will be here for many years to come. 

 

You can also find many gift shops in and out of the Capitol complex. The main gift shop is at the East front of the Capitol in the Capitol Visitor Center. There is another one at the West front of the Capitol. You can also shop at the online gift shop through the CVC’s official website. 

 

How to Get There

Near the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center, many bicycle racks are located. These are among the many other racks on the West Front of the Capitol—between the Russel and Dirksen Senate Office Buildings. You can take a bike from the Capitol Bike Share program from any of the 350 stations and return it to any of your nearest stations. The program is for your convenience, so you can enjoy the many landmarks in Washington, D.C. on your own without any rush. 

 

You can also get there via subway—Union Station, Capitol South, and Federal Center, SW are some of the subway stops found within walking distance of the Capitol. You can also take a car to the Capitol, but keep in mind that there is limited to no parking at all. You can find parking to the West of the Capitol along the Mall or at the Union Station.

 

Best Time to Visit 

Summer is usually the busiest time around here with lots of crowds. If you don’t mind the heat, then this will be the perfect time for you to visit but expect long lines and humidity at its peak. Fall is also great for visiting right before the chill season sets in. The fall foliage with different colors of red, orange, and yellow all across the city is gorgeous. Winter is the slowest season with fewer crowds and some of the tours might be unavailable. 

 

Spring is usually perfect for visiting because of the milder weather and the beautiful flowers in full bloom. It is also the time when the National Cherry Blossom Festival begins with lots of parades and performances. You can see beautiful cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, located on the National Mall. Several other parks near the Capitol offer relaxing green space. The National Mall is the most famous one near the Capitol building and stretches to the Lincoln Memorial. So while you’re there anyway, check out some of the most iconic monuments and memorials the city has to offer. On the northeast of the Capitol, you can find Lincoln Park, famous for its historical monuments. 

 

Features and Highlights 

 

- One of the most significant historical buildings in Washington, DC.

- Features a magnificent Rotunda, a circular room just beneath the Capitol’s Dome.

- The Rotunda features stunning frescoes on the ceiling including “The Apotheosis of Washington”, a depiction of America’s first president ascending to heavens.

- The Rotunda is mainly used for ceremonial purposes.

- Inside the Rotunda, you can also find the Whispering Gallery which is known for its unique acoustics. 

- The Capitol Dome is 288 feet tall and weighs over nine million pounds.

- Atop the Dome is the Statue of Freedom —19.5 feet in height and symbolizes liberty. You can visit the Capitol Visitor Center for a close-up view. 

- Features a historic room, a Statuary Hall that was once a meeting place for the House of Representatives. 

- Features the National Statuary Hall Collection with statues of notable individuals of all 50 states. 

- Directly beneath the Rotunda is The Crypt, originally built to bury George Washington but he wasn’t interred there.

- Remains a historical area filled with symbolic significance.

- The US Capitol Visitor Center provides a unique and interactive education experience.

- It also features a theatre where a short film about the Capitol is shown.

- Features a Senate Chamber and House Chamber.

- The Senate Chamber is the formal meeting place for senators and the House Chamber on the south wing is for representatives.

- Features gorgeous Brumidi Corridors named after Constantino Brumidi.

- The Capitol’s surrounding grounds feature beautiful gardens and architecture. 

- The Capitol Grounds are home to several statues including the Statue of Freedom and the Statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman.

- Just across from the Capitol is the Library of Congress which is one of the largest and most detailed libraries in the world.

- The Capitol offers guided tours free of charge where you can get insights into the history of the building and its role in the legislation process.