The Rotunda

The Rotunda is a classical library building on The Lawn campus of the University of Virginia in Albemarle County. The round brick structure supports a large dome, white columns, and displays balanced proportions modeled after the Roman Pantheon.

Thomas Jefferson designed the building as the heart of the university and had it constructed as a library between 1822 and 1826. A fire destroyed much of it in 1895, after which architect Stanford White redesigned the interior and created today's room layout.

The name comes from the Latin term for a circular building, reflecting Jefferson's desire to bring Roman architecture into an American university. Visitors today see exhibits on university history and can enter rooms still used for receptions and official events.

Guided tours provide access to the main hall and dome room, with morning visits often quieter. The broad steps and entrances make access easier, though some upper areas require stairs.

The dome roof consists of a double shell construction that appears heavier from outside than it actually is. Inside, hidden windows beneath the dome provide natural light that evenly illuminates the space during daytime.