Alabama State Capitol

The Alabama State Capitol sits on a hill with tall white columns and a circular dome rising above the city. The stucco and brick facade shows simple windows and arches, while inside chambers and corridors stretch out with marble and wood paneling.

Construction was completed in 1851 and the building served shortly afterward in 1861 as the first seat of the Confederacy. The structure survived the Civil War and remained the center of state government through Reconstruction and later decades.

The wide front steps serve as a gathering spot where demonstrators, school groups and visitors meet to discuss Alabama's past. Memorial markers and plaques on the grounds recall key moments of the civil rights movement.

Tours take place on weekdays and provide access to the chambers and exhibition rooms without charge. It helps to wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and longer corridors inside the building.

Inside the dome lies an observation level rarely discovered by visitors that offers an open view across the city. From there you can spot the location where Jefferson Davis took his oath of office.