Parliament Hill 360° Virtual Tour

This is a 360-degree virtual tour of the exterior of Parliament Hill viewed from the Centennial Flame. The tour, which begins with a description of the Centennial Flame and the Centre Block of Parliament, moves clockwise around the Hill.

The Centennial Flame, surrounded by the provincial and territorial shields, burns brightly in the centre of the fountain. The circular wall that forms the edge of the fountain lists the year in which each province and territory joined Confederation. The fountain is located at the base of the walkway that leads to the Centre Block.

The Centre Block, built in the Gothic Revival style, is dominated by the centrally placed Peace Tower, which rises high above the six-storey building. Two smaller towers are symmetrically located on each side of the Peace Tower.

The exterior of the Centre Block is primarily made of Nepean sandstone, and its roof is covered with copper. The south façade roof has darkened to a rich brown, while the roofs of the Peace Tower and the north façade tower roofs, whose peaks  are barely visible, are the green typical of oxidized copper. The Centre Block's south façade contains 550 windows and approximately 50,000 stones.

Continuing clockwise, the East Block is situated across an expanse of lawn. Also built in the Gothic Revival style, the East Block is dominated by a tower on the southwest corner that rises high above the building. Its exterior is also primarily made of Nepean sandstone, and features stone trim around its windows and other edges. The exterior showcases a multitude of stone carvings, including gargoyles, grotesques and friezes. The roof of the asymmetrical building is covered in copper that has turned green.

Next on the tour are buildings of mixed architectural styles, located along the south side of Wellington Street, a main thoroughfare. A stone wall, topped by intricate iron fencing that borders Parliament Hill, runs along Wellington Street.

The West Block, built in the Gothic Revival style, is located clockwise across an expanse of lawn. The asymmetrically built West Block is dominated by three prominent towers. Its exterior is made primarily of Nepean sandstone, with stone trim around its windows and other edges. A variety of stone carvings, including gargoyles, grotesques and friezes, decorate its exterior. Its copper‑covered roof has turned green.

Parliament Hill is shown here on an early fall day. The leaves are just beginning to change colour, while the grass remains a bright green under a somewhat cloudy sky.