Parliament Buildings showing Library

The Parliament Buildings, built of stone in Gothic revival style, are among Canada's architectural treasures. The original Centre Block was built in the early 1860s, but was destroyed by fire in 1916. Of the original building, only the Library of Parliament survived (the conical shaped portion at left). The rest was rebuilt from ground up. To either side of the Centre Block are the East and West Blocks built between 1859 and 1895. Members of Parliament have offices in the East, West and Centre Blocks, as well as in the Confederation Building. Other offices providing support services to Parliament are on the south side of Wellington Street.

After the 1916 fire.

Start