Minnesota State Capitol, State Capitol building in Saint Paul, United States.
The Minnesota State Capitol is a government building in Saint Paul built from white Georgia marble and topped with a dome rising about 75 meters. The facade shows Renaissance Revival elements with columns, arches, and sculptures, while the interior houses extended corridors and assembly halls for the legislature.
Architect Cass Gilbert designed the building, which was completed in 1905 after two earlier capitol structures were lost to fire. The work lasted several years and brought together craftsmen from different regions to complete the marble cladding and interior finishes.
The central hall carries the name Rotunda and shows large wall paintings depicting early inhabitants of the region and the transition to statehood. Visitors can see the chambers where laws are still debated today, while paintings on the walls recall past conflicts and treaties.
Guided tours take place on weekdays and allow access to the legislative chambers, rotunda, and reception rooms. Visitors should plan time to explore the upper galleries, from which you can look up into the dome structure from inside.
The dome supports itself through a construction of marble and steel, without supporting columns in the interior space, and is the second largest of its kind after Saint Peter's Basilica. This design allows an unobstructed view from the rotunda all the way up to the upper lantern.
Location: Saint Paul
Location: Minnesota
Inception: 1905
Architects: Cass Gilbert
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture, Beaux-Arts, Renaissance Revival architecture
GPS coordinates: 44.95431,-93.10222
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24
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.
Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul
973 m
James J. Hill House
1.2 km
Fitzgerald Theater
720 m
Statue of Christopher Columbus
100 m
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
1.1 km
Palace Theatre
913 m
Wells Fargo Place
856 m
Landmark Center
1.1 km
Minnesota Transportation Museum
9.7 km
Progress of the State
77 m
Town Square
942 m
Hmong Cultural Center Museum
1.1 km
The Pointe of St. Paul
682 m
Salvation Army Headquarters
598 m
Saint Paul, Minneapolis, & Manitoba Railway Company Shops Historic District
959 m
Schubert Club
1.1 km
Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill
253 m
Saint Agatha's Conservatory of Music and Arts
696 m
Assumption School
769 m
Minnesota State Capitol
110 m
Ecolab Building
916 m
Minnesota Children's Museum
831 m
Minnesota History Center
544 m
Knute Nelson Memorial
22 m
AAW Gallery of Wood Art
1 km
Minnesota Judicial Center
181 m
Park Square Theatre
922 m
League of Minnesota Cities
385 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes