Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

202  W ASHINGT ON , DC & THE C APIT AL REGION

1 United States Capitol

One of the world’s best known symbols of democracy, the US Capitol has been the
legislative heart of America for over 200 years. The cornerstone of this grand Neo-Classical
building was laid by George Washington in 1793, and by 1800 it was occupied, though
unfinished. The British burned the Capitol in the War of 1812, and in 1815 work began on
its restoration. Many architectural and artistic features, such as Constantino Brumidi’s
murals and the Statue of Freedom, were added later. The iconic dome has
undergone major restoration work to fix numerous cracks and deficiencies.

KEY
1 The House Chambers
2 The Hall of Columns is lined
with statues of notable Americans.
3 The Crypt and “geographical
center of Washington”
4 The Dome, made of cast iron
painted to look like marble, is one
of the largest in the world.
5 The Columbus Doors are made
of bronze and depict Christopher
Columbus’ s life and explorations.
6 The Senate Chamber was
completed in 1859.
7 The Brumidi Corridors are lined
with frescoes, bronze works, and
paintings by the Italian artist
Constantino Brumidi (1805–80).

. National Statuary Hall
Statues of prominent citizens
from each state stand in this hall.

2 Library of Thomas Jefferson Building. grand staircases, bronze statues,
Congress In front of it is a fountain with rich murals, and stained-
a striking bronze statue of the glass skylights.
Map F4. 10 1st St, SE. Tel (202) 707- Roman sea god, Neptune. Equally impressive is the
5000. q Capitol S. @ 32, 34, 36, 96. One of the highlights of this Main Reading Room, where
Open 10am–5:30pm Mon–Sat.
Closed federal hols. 8 7 0 For marvel of art and architecture is eight huge marble columns,
access to reading rooms, visitors must the Great Hall with its splendid and 10-ft (3-m) high female
have a user card obtained from Room marble arches and columns, figures, personifying aspects
LM140 of the Madison Building. of human endeavor, dwarf the
Photo I.D. is essential. ∑ loc.gov reading desks. The domed ceiling
soars to a height of 160 ft (49 m).
The Library of Congress holds There are 10 other reading
the largest collection of books, rooms in the Jefferson Building,
manuscripts, microfilms, maps, notably the African and Asian
and music in the world. First Reading Rooms.
established in the US Capitol in The staircase landing near the
1800, the library was destroyed Visitors’ Gallery, overlooking
when the Capitol was burned in the Main Reading Room, is
1814. Thomas Jefferson then sold dominated by a beautiful marble
the library his personal collection, mosaic figure of Minerva.
for much needed capital, as a The Library’s treasures
replacement, and from this seed include one of only three
the collection continued to grow. perfect vellum copies of the
Since 1897, it has been housed in 15th-century Gutenberg Bible,
a grand Italian Renaissance-style The Great Hall, with its splendid marble the first book printed using
main building, now known as the arches and columns movable metal type.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp234–6 and pp237–9

202-203_EW_USA.indd 202 11/2/16 2:44 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm