Minneapolis City Hall, Municipal government building in downtown Minneapolis, US
Minneapolis City Hall is a municipal and county government building occupying an entire downtown block with thick granite exterior walls and a prominent clock tower. Inside, a five-story rotunda with marble staircases and supporting columns creates the building's grand central space where visitors can move between floors.
Construction began in 1887 and finished nearly two decades later in 1906, establishing this Richardsonian Romanesque landmark in granite and stone. The building was built to house both city and county government operations, a dual purpose it has maintained throughout its existence.
The Father of Waters sculpture from Carrara marble dominates the central rotunda and has been a focal point for visitors and residents since the early 1900s. The figure represents the city's deep connection to the Mississippi River and serves as a gathering space within the building.
The building is open to visitors on weekdays during business hours and welcomes self-guided exploration throughout the public areas. Guided tours are regularly scheduled to help visitors understand the architectural details and interior design more thoroughly.
The clock tower features four clock faces roughly 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter, making it larger than London's Big Ben and visible from many parts of the city. This oversized timepiece is a striking feature that has become an unexpected architectural highlight for many visitors.
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