- The United States Capitol, also known as the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the Legislative branch of the Federal Government of the U.S.A.
- Built in the Neoclassical style, it is located on Capitol Hill at the end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Description
- The term ‘Capitol’ derives from the Latin ‘Capitolium’ referring to the Capitoline Hill in Rome, but now applied to legislative buildings.
- The Capitol Building was designed in the Neoclassical style by the architect William Thornton.
- The central section was completed in 1800. The south wing for the House of Representatives and the north wing for the Senate were completed in the 1850’s, with the cast iron dome being added in 1866.
Map: United States Capitol