New York State Capitol, Historic government building in Albany, United States
The New York State Capitol is a government building in Albany, featuring massive stone walls, elaborate carvings, and an architectural blend of Romanesque Revival and Renaissance styles. The structure rises 67 meters high and combines red sandstone facades with richly decorated arches, columns, and towers across multiple floors.
Construction of this government building stretched from 1867 to 1899 and required the work of five architects, each bringing different design approaches. The original cost estimate of 4 million dollars grew to 25 million dollars during the building period.
The Million Dollar Staircase displays 77 stone faces of historical figures carved by European artisans, representing important personalities from American and European history. Each face was carved directly into the sandstone of the stairway, with the craftsmen free to choose whom they depicted.
Free guided tours run on weekdays at 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00, starting from the Information Desk at the State Street lobby entrance. The tours last about an hour and lead through the main chambers, staircase, and selected halls within the building.
The fourth floor houses an extensive collection of Civil War battle flags representing different New York State military units that participated in the conflict. The flags are kept in special display cases and show damage from combat, including bullet holes and burn marks.
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