Library of Parliament

The Library of Parliament, in Ottawa

The Library of Parliament is the jewel of the parliamentary hill of Ottawa, a circular neo-Gothic building of great beauty. The Ottawa audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this remarkable hall, the only part spared by the great fire of 1916.

The circular jewel of the parliamentary hill

The Library of Parliament is considered the finest architectural jewel of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Located at the back of the Centre Block, it stands out by its circular form and its neo-Gothic architecture of great finesse. Its sumptuous interior is entirely clad in carved white pine woodwork, organised on several levels of galleries around a statue of Queen Victoria. Remarkably, the library was the only part of the Centre Block to escape the great fire that ravaged the Parliament in 1916, thanks to its fire doors. A place of knowledge in the service of the parliamentarians, it is also a masterpiece of the Canadian heritage.

What to see

You admire the circular neo-Gothic building of great finesse and its sumptuous interior of carved white pine woodwork organised in galleries around a statue of Queen Victoria, the only part spared by the fire of 1916. The Library of Parliament is the jewel of the parliamentary hill. It is a major stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Library of Parliament lies at the back of the Centre Block, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, reachable on foot. You admire its exterior freely; the visit of the interior is subject to its own conditions and hours, and the hill is the object of restoration works. It is best to check the arrangements in advance.

Why did the Library of Parliament survive the fire of 1916?

Thanks to its fire doors, the library was the only part of the Centre Block to escape the great fire that ravaged the Parliament in 1916; this circular neo-Gothic building is the finest jewel of the hill.

Where is the Library of Parliament?

At the back of the Centre Block, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, in Canada.