Buildings & Grounds

Interactive Map of the Capitol: Buildings and Grounds

U.S. Capitol Building

Capitol Power Plant

House Office Buildings

Library of Congress Buildings

Interior columns of Senate Office Building

Senate Office Buildings

View of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

Supreme Court Buildings

Plants in the U.S. Botanical Garden Conservatory

U.S. Botanic Garden

Capitol Grounds

About the Grounds

Originally a wooded wilderness, the U.S. Capitol Grounds now provide a park-like setting and a picturesque counterpoint to the Capitol building's formal architecture.

Capitol Grounds

Capitol Reflecting Pool

Set into a plaza that includes the Ulysses S. Grant memorial. Nearby destinations include the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the museums and galleries along the National Mall.

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Monuments & Memorials

Sculpture on the U.S. Capitol Grounds commemorating historic figures and events.

Garfield Monument | Peace Monument

Grant Memorial | Taft Memorial and Carillon

Olmsted Terrace

Hardscape elements include the low walls bordering the walks and roads and the various lamps needed for lighting the grounds at night.

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Summerhouse

The hexagon-shaped brick structure set into the sloping hillside of the West Front lawn has offered rest and shelter to travelers for over a century.

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Which is taller, the Capitol or the Washington Monument?

The Washington Monument, standing 555 feet tall, is 267 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol. Because the base of the Washington Monument is 30 feet above sea level, and that of the Capitol is 88 feet above sea level, the top of the Washington Monument is 209 feet higher than the top of the Capitol Building.

Capitol Hill

History of the Hill

The U.S. Capitol was built atop Jenkins' Hill, now often referred to as "Capitol Hill," in 1793. Since then many additional buildings have been constructed around this site to serve Congress and the Supreme Court.

History Details

Architectureal Elements & Styles