Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill is a special place in Ottawa. Long ago, it was a forest.

A queen chose it for the capital. Workers built big stone buildings there. A fire hurt one of the buildings. Later, they built a tall Peace Tower.

Many people visit the hill today. It is a grand place for the country.

Parliament Hill is a famous area in Ottawa, Ontario. Long ago, this hill was a forest. First Nations people used it as a landmark. Later, it became a military base called Barrack Hill.

In 1858, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital. This changed the hill forever. Many people sent drawings to design the new buildings. The winners used a style called Gothic revival. This style looks like old buildings in Europe.

Building the main part was a very big job. It was the largest project in North America then. In 1916, a fire destroyed the Centre Block. Workers rebuilt it. They also built the Peace Tower in 1927. This tower honors Canadians who died in a big war.

Today, three million people visit the hill each year.

Big projects are happening now to fix the buildings. These repairs help keep the site safe for the future.

Parliament Hill is a special place in Ottawa, Ontario. It sits on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. This area houses the Parliament of Canada. Many people visit this site every year. About three million visitors come to see it.

The hill is a very important part of Canadian history. It is also a beautiful place to walk and explore.

Long ago, the hill was covered in a thick forest. This forest had many beech and hemlock trees.

For hundreds of years, First Nations people used the hill as a landmark. Later, European traders and adventurers used it too. It helped them find their way through the land. After Ottawa was founded, it was called Bytown. A military base called Barrack Hill was built there. This was a very different time for the land.

In 1858, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital. This choice led to many new buildings.

Designers sent 298 drawings to show their ideas. Two teams eventually won the contest to build the structures. They chose a style called Gothic revival. This style looks like old buildings from Europe. The leaders thought this style would look great in the wilderness. It was meant to look very grand and stately.

Building the Centre Block was a huge task. It was the largest construction project in North America at that time.

Workers had to blast through bedrock to make the foundations. In 1916, a large fire destroyed the Centre Block. This was a very sad moment for the country. Workers rebuilt the building right away. In 1927, they finished the Peace Tower. This tower honors Canadians who died in the First World War.

Today, the hill is a National Historic Site of Canada. Many important events have happened on these grounds. People gather there for big celebrations like Canada Day. There are also many beautiful statues on the hill. Some statues honor leaders like Queen Victoria or George Brown. A big renovation project started in 2002. This work will help keep the buildings safe until after 2028.

Parliament Hill is a significant area of Crown land located on the southern bank of the Ottawa River. It serves as the home for the Parliament of Canada in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. The site features a suite of Gothic revival buildings designed to evoke the history of parliamentary democracy. These architectural choices were meant to look stately while fitting into the North American wilderness. Today, the area is a major destination, attracting approximately three million visitors every year.

Before it became a center for government, the hill had a very different landscape. It was originally a limestone outcrop covered in a primeval forest of hemlock and beech trees.

For hundreds of years, First Nations people used the hill as a landmark. Later, European traders and adventurers used it to navigate the interior of the continent. After the town of Bytown was founded, the site became a military base called Barrack Hill. A large fortress was once planned there following the War of 1812, but the project was eventually scrapped.

The transformation into a parliamentary precinct began after Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the capital in 1858. The Crown already owned Barrack Hill, and its position provided a prominent view over the town and river. In May 1859, the Department of Public Works asked for design proposals for the new buildings. They received 298 different drawings. After a long process, two teams were selected to win the contest. Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones won the contract for the Centre Block. They used a Victorian High Gothic scheme that featured a formal, symmetrical front. The team of Thomas Stent and Augustus Laver won the prize for the East and West Blocks.

Construction of the Centre Block was a massive undertaking. It was the largest construction project in North America at that time.

Ground was broken in December 1859, and the first stones were laid in April 1860. Prince Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, laid the cornerstone using Potsdam sandstone. This stone was quarried in Nepean, about 30 kilometers away. During the work, builders hit bedrock sooner than they expected. They had to use blasting to complete the foundations. This forced the architects to make the foundations sit deeper than they had originally planned.

History on the Hill has included both growth and significant loss. In 1916, a fire destroyed the Centre Block. Despite the ongoing war at that time, the cornerstone was re-laid in September 1916. The rebuilt Centre Block was finished eleven years later. As part of this reconstruction, a new bell tower called the Peace Tower was dedicated in 1927. This tower was built to commemorate Canadians who died during the First World War. The site has since hosted many historic moments, such as the first visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939.

The grounds of Parliament Hill are carefully managed and protected. The National Capital Commission maintains the grounds, while the Parliamentary Protective Service handles law enforcement. The area is defined by several boundaries, including the Ottawa River to the north and Wellington Street to the south.

A wrought iron fence called the Wellington Wall marks the southern front. The main outdoor area is a formal forecourt used for celebrations like Canada Day. The site also features many statues and memorials, such as the Summer Pavilion, which serves as the National Police Memorial.

Currently, the precinct is undergoing a massive period of change and repair. Since 2002, an extensive $3 billion renovation and rehabilitation project has been underway. This work aims to bring the buildings up to modern safety standards. It also addresses the fact that the structures have reached a deteriorated state. Some parts of the project are already finished, such as the West Block in 2018. Other work, like the construction of a new Visitor Welcome Centre, is still moving forward. Even the foundations of the Centre Block are being modified with 500 base isolators to protect against earthquakes. This entire project is expected to continue until after 2028.