Parliament Building, Washington and Supreme Court Building

 While in Washington after having a look at the White House we drove straight to the Parliament Building at Washington.  As it was the evening time the air and atmosphere was pretty cool.  After parking at a long distance, at scheduled parking area  we went on walking around the Parliament Building at Washington. 

It is located at Washington D.C. where the american senate and house of commons meets. It is open to visit this place without much hindrance.  You can have a round around the buildings external parts.  It is very big and beautiful structure to look at.  Its construction began in 1793 when George Washington laid the corner stone of it. 

The surrounding Capitol Grounds span nearly 60 acres and are entirely open to the public. You can stroll along the winding paths, take photos of the iconic exterior facades, view the Capitol Reflecting Pool, and relax on the park benches without needing any tickets or security checks.

IWe all enjoyed a lot moving around the area which is very much clean and amazing.  We could took lot of photos without any objections and also enjoyed seating in a very pleasant atmosphere.  The internal roads too are very much wide and clean. 

The Legislative Building has withstood three major earthquakes, the most recent being the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Its strength comes from the great structural design by Wilder and White and the high-quality work of the original builders.
After the earthquakes in 1949 and 1965, important seismic upgrades were made. A significant rehabilitation and earthquake repair project was completed in 2004, costing $120 million. This project added modern heating, cooling, plumbing, fire protection, and advanced wireless technology while keeping the building’s historic features

As part of eco-friendly practices during renovation, over 80 percent of construction waste—8,000 tons of materials like wood, concrete, paper, bricks, dirt, metal, and drywall—was recycled. The project also added 144 solar panels on the fifth-floor roof, making it the largest solar panel installation on a Capitol building in the United States

At the U.S. Capitol the Senate and the House of Representatives come together to discuss, debate and deliberate national policy; develop consensus; and craft the country's laws. As the nation has grown so has the U.S. Capitol: today it covers well over 1.5 million square feet, has over 600 rooms, and miles of corridors. It is crowned by a The classical Corinthian architectural style was selected because it best harmonized with nearby congressional buildings. The building was designed on a scale in keeping with the importance and dignity of the Court and the Judiciary as a coequal, independent branch of the United States Government, and as a symbol of “the national ideal of justice in the highest sphere of activity. white dome that overlooks the city of Washington and has become a widely recognized icon of the American people and government. The U.S. Capitol's design was selected by President George Washington in 1793 and construction began shortly thereafter.

The Architecture of the Capitol

The U.S. Capitol is a premier masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture. Its design was intentionally . from ancient Greek and Roman traditions to visually evoke democratic ideals, republic governance, and timeless stability.

Key architectural features include:

• The Symmetrical Layout: The building features a massive central section flanked by two distinct, balanced wings. The North Wing houses the Senate, and the South Wing houses the House of Representatives. This literal division of the architecture beautifully mirrors the balance of power dictated by the U.S. Constitution. 
• The Cast-Iron Dome: The definitive focal point of the Capitol is its monumental double-dome. Designed by Thomas U. Walter and completed in 1866, it is constructed entirely of cast iron painted to look like white stone. Atop the dome stands the bronze Statue of Freedom, which towers nearly 288 feet above the ground baseline. 
• Grand Porticos and Colonnades: The east and west fronts are characterized by dramatic staircases and massive Corinthian-style columns. Look closely at some of the smaller interior capitals, and you'll spot clever American adaptations: rather than traditional European acanthus leaves, early architects carved native tobacco leaves and corn cobs to symbolize the new nation's unique wealth and bounty. 
• The Rotunda: Stepping inside, the Rotunda is a soaring circular hall that measures 96 feet in diameter and reaches 180 feet up to the inner ceiling. Look straight up to see the breathtaking Apotheosis of Washington, a massive fresco painted by Constantino Brumidi that depicts George Washington rising into the heavens. 
• The Crypt: Located directly beneath the Rotunda, this circular room features 40 heavy Aquia Creek sandstone columns built in the Doric style to support the immense weight of the floor and dome above. 
• Olmsted Landscape Design: The exterior environment is just as much a part of the architecture as the building itself. Legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed New York’s Central Park) finalized the grounds layout in the late 19th century, introducing the marble terraces that wrap around the building to provide it with a grand, monumental pedesta

Supreme Court Building -

Just opposite side of parliament building we can see the Supreme Court Building. It is also a very big and attractive architecture.  Quite impressive, amazing and attractive too. 

The classical Corinthian architectural style was selected because it best harmonized with nearby congressional buildings. The building was designed on a scale in keeping with the importance and dignity of the Court and the Judiciary as a coequal, independent branch of the United States Government, and as a symbol of “the national ideal of justice in the highest sphere of activity.

The main entrance to the Supreme Court Building is on the west side, facing the United States Capitol. A few low steps lead up to the 252-foot-wide oval plaza in front of the building. Flanking these steps is a pair of marble candelabra with carved panels on their square bases depicting Justice, holding sword and scales, and The Three Fates, weaving the thread of life. On either side of the plaza are fountains, flagpoles, and benches.

The bronze flagpole bases are crested with symbolic designs of the scales and sword, the book, the mask and torch, the pen and mace, and the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water.

On either side of the main steps are seated marble figures. These large statues are the work of sculptor James Earle Fraser. On the left is a female figure, the Contemplation of Justice. On the right is a male figure, the Guardian or Authority of Law.