United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the seat of the U.S. Congress — the legislative branch of the federal government — occupying the commanding position at the eastern end of the National Mall on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Designed in a Neoclassical style by William Thornton and modified by successive architects including Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Charles Bulfinch, the building was first occupied in 1800 and has been continuously expanded and rebuilt, most dramatically after British forces burned it in 1814. Its cast-iron dome, completed in 1868, crowned by the Statue of Freedom, is among the most recognised architectural symbols in the world.
At a glance
- Type
- Federal legislative building; seat of the Senate and House of Representatives
- Period
- Construction began 1793; first occupied 1800; dome completed 1868; ongoing expansion and restoration
- Style
- Neoclassical
- Location
- Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., USA · 38.8899° N, 77.0090° W
Overview
The Capitol Building houses the Senate in its north wing and the House of Representatives in its south wing, with the iconic Rotunda beneath the dome connecting both chambers. The building sits at the centre of Washington’s street grid, from which the city’s four quadrants radiate. Beyond its legislative function, the Capitol is a public monument open to visitors and a site of major ceremonial events including presidential inaugurations.
History
President Washington laid the Capitol’s cornerstone in 1793 using a Masonic ceremony, and the building was first occupied by Congress in 1800 when the capital moved from Philadelphia. In August 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops burned the Capitol along with the White House, destroying much of the interior; reconstruction was complete by 1819 under architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The building was expanded significantly in the 1850s with larger Senate and House wings, and a new cast-iron dome replaced the earlier wooden structure, reaching completion in 1868 despite the ongoing Civil War — Abraham Lincoln insisted construction continue as a symbol of national unity. The Capitol Visitor Center, opened in 2008, now accommodates the millions who tour the building each year underground, below the East Front Plaza.
What you see
The dominant feature is the cast-iron dome rising 88 metres above ground, topped by the 5.9-metre bronze Statue of Freedom added in 1863. The Rotunda directly beneath the dome features John Trumbull’s eight monumental history paintings and the fresco The Apotheosis of Washington by Constantino Brumidi on the canopy ceiling. The National Statuary Hall, the original House chamber, contains two bronze statues donated by each state. The East and West Fronts present long colonnaded facades in bright white Maryland marble, with the West Front offering views over the National Mall to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
Cultural significance
As the physical home of American democracy’s legislative branch, the Capitol is among the most symbolically charged buildings in the world — a place where constitutional government is literally enacted. Its dome has appeared on the currency, seals, and official imagery of the United States for over 150 years, and presidential inaugurations held on its steps have marked American transitions of power since 1801.
Practical information
- Address
- Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. 20515
- Visitor Centre
- Capitol Visitor Center (underground, East Front Plaza); free admission
- Tours
- Free guided tours available; reserve in advance at visitthecapitol.gov
- Hours
- Check visitthecapitol.gov for current opening hours and security procedures
Getting there
The nearest Metro stations are Capitol South (Blue/Orange/Silver Lines) and Union Station (Red Line), both within easy walking distance of the Capitol. The building is also accessible on foot along the National Mall from the Washington Monument end. Multiple bus lines serve Capitol Hill.
Sources & resources
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