United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

United States Capitol Building

Washington, D.C.

United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. is located at the eastern end of The National Mall, on Capitol Hill. The legislative and judicial branches of the federal government are housed within the building, and admission is free for visitors.

The Architecture of the Capitol Building

The Statistics

Construction began on the Capitol Building in 1793; in the course of its history it has been burnt, rebuilt, extended and restored.

The Capitol Building is approximately 751 feet long from north to south and its greatest width is 350 feet. It contains approximately 540 rooms, with 658 windows and approximately 850 doorways, and covers a total ground area of 175,170 square feet.

The building’s neoclassical design incorporates ancient Greek and Roman stylistic markers, pointing to the nation’s determination to found a new republic. The architects and designers were keen to ensure that new elements of the building worked in harmony with older sections, and to combine form and function effectively.

Kaley Tyne Johnson For more information about the architectural styles of different buildings in the United States, visit the blog of Kaley Tyne Johnson.