Look into the architectural history of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Exploring the history of the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Completed in 1931, the “melting clocks” in Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory quickly became a worldwide sensation.
-
© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about the chemistry of early photographic processes.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Degas' interest in painting ballerinas speaks to his love of classic beauty.
-
© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about the functions and history of the Canadian Senate.
-
© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about the functions and history of the Canadian House of Commons.
-
© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Examining why Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the Canadian capital.
-
© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Learn about the fire that destroyed the heart of Canada's Parliament Buildings in 1916.
News •
Avs lose MacKinnon, Makar to injury in 4-3 overtime loss at Ottawa
• Nov. 12, 2026, 10:27 PM ET (AP)
Canada threatens to sue Stellantis over auto plant sale as Trump’s trade war shifts production south
• Nov. 12, 2026, 7:04 PM ET (AP)
Carney says Trump moving closer to Canada’s trade demands as midterms loom
• Oct. 26, 2026, 8:27 PM ET (AP)
Brady Tkachuk gets ice-cold reception in return to Ottawa with Florida Panthers
• Oct. 22, 2026, 1:20 AM ET (AP)
Senators beat Panthers 5-1 as Brady Tkachuk scores in return to Ottawa but gets hostile reception
• Oct. 22, 2026, 12:18 AM ET (AP)
Transcript
NARRATOR: Few Canadian symbols are as well-known as the Parliament Buildings. Flanked by the East and West Blocks, the Centre Block of Parliament, with its distinctive Peace Tower and library, is familiar to Canadians and people around the world. Although the buildings are alive with the drama of modern day debates, the echoes of times and personalities long since passed still linger here.
The Parliament Buildings were built between 1859 and 1866, with the exception of the tower and the library. One year after their completion, Canada became a country. And the buildings were immediately chosen as the seat of government. But the Centre Block you see today is not the first. The first Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings burned down in 1916. The new structure, designed in the Modern Gothic Revival style, was completed by 1922. The Peace Tower was finished later in 1927.
The Parliament Buildings were built between 1859 and 1866, with the exception of the tower and the library. One year after their completion, Canada became a country. And the buildings were immediately chosen as the seat of government. But the Centre Block you see today is not the first. The first Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings burned down in 1916. The new structure, designed in the Modern Gothic Revival style, was completed by 1922. The Peace Tower was finished later in 1927.
Last Modification: