Capitol Reflection Pool, Reflecting pool in United States Capitol Complex, Washington, D.C.
The Capitol Reflection Pool is a six-acre water feature at the eastern end of the National Mall that mirrors the Capitol Building and Grant Memorial. Broad limestone edges border the water and create seating areas where visitors can view the dome.
The pool came from plans by the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill during the 1960s and opened in 1971. It was built to reduce vehicle traffic in this area of the city.
The water mirrors the Capitol dome and creates a space where visitors and local wildlife gather together. The broad edges make it easy to get close views of the surrounding buildings and public spaces.
Sloped steps lead down to the water level and make access easy from above. The open space gets full sun, so bring water and find shade elsewhere if you need relief from heat.
The water fills more than half of Union Square and forms a counterpart to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at the opposite end of the National Mall. These two pools frame the city's grand public axis from both sides.
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