Add a review about the Parliament Hill in Ottawa

The Parliament Hill in Ottawa stands on the south bank of the river . It is in every sense of the word the heart of the city . The architectural complex, built in the style of the Gothic Revival, is considered a national symbol and annually attracts about 3 million Visitors . Initially, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the military base was located at the site of the present parliament building . After Queen Victoria chose Baytown as the capital of the province of Canada in 1859 ., this district began to turn into a governmental . @ In the year 1916 . heat killed central unit, and in 1927 g .The World Tower has been completed, and since then the complex looks like it is now .

Every morning during the summer, the ceremony of changing the guard takes place on the front lawn of Parliament Hill. And every night a crowd of spectators gathers again to see an amazing light and sound show, when huge images are projected onto parliamentary buildings.

This architectural complex, built in the style of the Gothic Renaissance, is considered a national symbol and annually attracts about 3 million visitors

Central Block

The most popular tour among tourists is the Central Block, the main building of the parliamentary complex . After the fire of 1916 . only the library behind the block remained untouched, and although the reconstruction was started immediately, all the sculptures were restored only by the 1970s. . Visitors can admire the beautiful symmetrical structure, the walls of which are stacked of 50,000 blocks of about 25 different types of stone . Dominant of the Central Block - the hour and bell tower of the World that rises in the center . The height of the tower is 92 m . The building is richly decorated on the outside with gargoyles, friezes and grotesque figures carved from stone . The hall of the Confederation that in the very center of the building reminds of the majestic Gothic cathedral, the pointed arches of which are reduced to the center and are supported by one central column . No less beautiful is the Glory Gallery that connects the Confederation Hall with the library . In the course You can also visit the House of Commons with large stained-glass windows, the senate hall with a beautiful ceiling decorated with gilding, and the parliament library .

In 2002, work was begun on a large-scale reconstruction of Parliament Hill, which, according to the plan, will continue until 2020

Western bloc

The Western bloc can compete with the Central Block. The original building was completed in 1865. Unlike the other two in the complex, the Western block can not be inspected with a tour, but it looks more than impressive from the outside. Three towers reinforce the impression: the highest tower of Mackenzie (1878), the Lurie tower (1906) and the southeast.

Eastern block

In the third building of the complex, the Eastern block, as well as in the Western block , offices of parliamentarians are located . This is one of the two buildings that were least affected by the fire and can be visited with a group excursion in July and August . The building is asymmetric and resembles a medieval castle with walls from a meter to two meters thick..In the interior you can see numerous emblems, including a lot of maple leaves carved from stone, richly decorated marble fireplaces and furnishings of varying degrees of luxury, depending on who is in the office .

Carillon of 53 bells on the tower of the World notes every quarter of an hour, and every day a Dominion bell ringer offers a free concert

Practical information

Parliament Hill is located in the heart of the city, between Wellington Street and the Ottawa River

Working time: depends on the season and availability of parliamentary sessions . Usually the Central Block is open from 9:00 to 16:30 from July to April and from 9:00 to 17:30 in May and June. The Eastern block is usually open from 10:00 to 16:30 only in July and August.

Tickets for visiting the Central Block can be purchased from May 17 to September 1 at 90 Wellington Street, and from September 2 to May 16 - at the entrance for visitors at the base of the tower of the World. The tour lasts from 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the activity of the parliament. Excursions are free of charge and are conducted as soon as the group is collected on the basis of the live queue.