5 most famous buildings in the United States

From east to west, the United States is a huge country that has some of the most important cities in the world. One of them is Washington, the epicenter of the country's political and economic power. In the capital we can visit several famous and very relevant buildings in the history of the country that have appeared in many films. Do you want to know what it is about? Keep reading!

The White House

The official residence and workspace of the President of the United States of America, the White House, is one of the most famous buildings in the country and a symbol.

It was built after an Act of Congress in 1790 in neoclassical style at the initiative of George Washington, establishing the need to erect a presidential residence near the Potomac River. The works were commissioned to architect James Hoban who was inspired by the castle of Rastignac in France for its design and took less than a decade to complete. However, President Washington never came to reside in the new building but was inaugurated by his successor John Adams.

The original building did not last long as English soldiers destroyed it in 1814 in retaliation for the burning of Parliament in Canada, so the Americans had to rebuild what was then called "House of the President." Since then, various extensions and improvements have been made to the structure. The famous Oval Office and West Wing were built in 1902 during Roosvelt's presidency. while the East wing was added during Truman's tenure. Thus the building that we know today was completed.

Located at 1.600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, the White House is known for its rear facade, the one with the colonnade in the center. On the outside, its size seems smaller and only a few know its true dimensions: more than 130 rooms, 35 bathrooms, almost 30 fireplaces, 60 stairs and 7 elevators spread over 6 floors and 5.100 square meters.

Can visit?

Adjacent to the White House is the White House Visitor Center, which is open to the public. Visiting the White House via an inside tour is only possible for US citizens. They are free but you have to make a reservation months in advance by writing to a representative of Congress. For foreigners at this time it is not possible so you have to settle for seeing the White House from outside.

Washington Cathedral

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the eastern United States is the Washington National Cathedral. It is the second largest in the country after the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the District of Columbia (very close to Washington) and the sixth largest cathedral in the world.

Neo-Gothic in style, the Washington National Cathedral is very reminiscent of the great European basilicas and is dedicated to the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was built in the XNUMXth century and belongs to the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

If during a vacation to Washington you would like to visit this temple, You will find it at the junction between Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, northeast of the capital. It was inscribed as a monument in the National Register of Historic Places and as a curiosity, if you look at the north tower there is a gargoyle that has the helmet of Darth Vader from Star Wars. Unusual, right?

This popular culture villain ended up being part of the cathedral because National Geographic World magazine held a children's design contest where contestant Christopher Rader took third place with this drawing. After the contest, the figure was sculpted along with the other winning drawings (a girl with braids, a raccoon and a man with an umbrella) to adorn the top of the northwest tower of the Washington Cathedral.

jefferson memorial

Thomas Jefferson is a personality that had great importance in the history of the United States. He was the main drafter of its Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State of the country in the government of George Washington, one of the founding fathers of the nation and its third president after succeeding John Adams. Ultimately, in the United States there is much to remember Thomas Jefferson and his monument is dedicated to his memory.

The memorial is located in the open-air West Potomac Park, on the bank of the Potomac River. It was ordered to be built by President Franklin D. Roosvelt in 1934 as he had great admiration for the politician. For its design the architect was inspired by Monticello, the house of Thomas Jefferson, which in turn was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

If on the outside the Jefferson Memorial is beautiful, on the inside it is surprising because it is decorated with inscriptions famous quotes from this president and even with fragments of the American Declaration of Independence.

The United States Capitol

It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington that is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and is an icon that symbolizes American democracy. The legislative power of the United States government is concentrated there: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The United States Capitol was designed by William Thornton and a first stage was completed in the early XNUMXs. Later, other architects made modifications that gave the complex that characteristic neoclassical style.

A first stage was completed in 1800 and is one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Architects Thomas U. Walter and August Schoenborn designed the current dome in the center of the structure topped by a female statue, the shape of which can be seen from a distance as Maryland and Pennsylvania avenues end there.

Those who chose the site for the construction of the United States Capitol hit the nail on the head because being located on a hill it seems even bigger, which is a perfect example of the symbolism of power..

Lincoln memorial

Another of the most famous buildings in the United States is the Lincoln Memorial, a spectacular monument dedicated to the figure of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the country.s located within a park in the center of the capital known as the National Mall. Here are other important monuments such as the Obelisk of Washington, the statue of General Grant and the Lincoln monument, three very relevant figures in American history .

Inaugurated in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial is a building in the shape of a Greek temple that the National Congress wanted to erect to pay tribute to the famous politician. A large staircase leads to a room where we can see a huge statue of Abraham Lincoln (by Daniel Chester French), various interior murals and two writings with excerpts from some of the president's speeches.

In 1963 the Lincoln Memorial was the scene of the famous "I Have a Dream" speech by pastor and civil rights activist Martin Luther King. On the National Mall you can also see a statue dedicated to his figure a few meters from the memorial.

Can visit?

Admission to the Lincoln Memorial is free and is open from 8 AM to 12 AM.