Library of Congress, National library in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States.
The institution occupies three connected buildings on Capitol Hill and holds more than 164 million items including manuscripts, maps, photographs, and recordings. It functions as the national library of the United States and serves Congress as well as researchers from around the world.
President John Adams established the institution in 1800, initially housed within the Capitol building itself. The move to the current main building occurred in 1897 when the collection outgrew its original location.
Visitors experience a space designed to honor knowledge through art and architecture, where reading rooms invite quiet study beneath painted ceilings. The building serves researchers and tourists alike, bridging scholarship with public access to rare materials.
Free guided tours run from Tuesday through Saturday between 10 AM and 5 PM, with extended hours until 7 PM on Thursdays. The exhibition galleries are open to everyone, while reading rooms require registration for serious research purposes.
The collection includes one of three perfect copies of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum, displayed in a dedicated case within the Thomas Jefferson Building. The building also houses personal items from famous Americans, including the contents of Abraham Lincoln's pockets from the night of his assassination.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Inception: April 24, 1800
Website: https://loc.gov
GPS coordinates: 38.88861,-77.00472
Latest update: December 2, 2025 22:37
This collection brings together notable domes and cupolas from all continents, signs of diverse architectural traditions extending from the Vatican to Australia, Russia to the United Arab Emirates. From the famous dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to the colorful domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, the Renaissance dome of Florence Cathedral, to the cast-iron dome of the US Capitol in Washington, each structure tells a particular story and reflects the ambitions of its era. These buildings span several centuries of architectural innovation and serve various functions: religious structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire, civil buildings such as Oxford's Radcliffe Camera or the Australian Exhibition Palace, and even thermal spas like Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths. Each dome illustrates construction techniques and aesthetic decisions specific to its culture, offering insight into skills that enabled the creation of these monumental coverings.
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, houses the three branches of federal government and the nation's most significant political institutions. The White House serves as the presidential residence, while the Capitol building hosts Congress and the Supreme Court represents the judicial branch. The National Mall extends 2 miles (3 kilometers) and connects historic monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument, which commemorate the nation's founders. The city holds an exceptional concentration of museums, many belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and offering free admission. The National Air and Space Museum displays the history of aviation and space exploration, while the National Gallery of Art presents an extensive collection of European and American art. The Library of Congress preserves over 170 million items and ranks as the largest library in the world. Memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial honor significant events and figures in American history. Historic districts like Georgetown and Embassy Row, along with green spaces such as the Tidal Basin and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, complement the capital's cultural and natural offerings.
Washington D.C is more than just the White House and the presidency of the United States. The city contains a collection of iconic monuments, national museums, and government buildings that represent American history and culture. Here, we suggest stepping off the beaten path and discovering the city from another perspective, away from the noise of American politics.
United States Supreme Court Building
211 m
Capitol Hill
386 m
The Apotheosis of Washington
382 m
National Statuary Hall Collection
382 m
United States Capitol Complex
325 m
Thomas Jefferson Building
71 m
United States Capitol Crypt
394 m
Washington's Tomb
397 m
Cannon House Office Building
267 m
Folger Shakespeare Library
158 m
United States Capitol Visitor Center
336 m
C Street Center
302 m
James Madison Memorial Building
208 m
John Adams Building
176 m
United States Senate Vice Presidential Bust Collection
325 m
Capitol Reflection Pool
382 m
The Rescue
373 m
Discovery of America
357 m
Apotheosis of Democracy
338 m
Court of Neptune Fountain
88 m
Florida House on Capitol Hill
203 m
Bust of Sojourner Truth (U.S. Capitol)
287 m
Butler Building
358 m
Moldenhauer Archives
118 m
Hiram W. Johnson House
310 m
Richards Building
363 m
Watterston House
265 m
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
174 mReviews
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