Minnesota State Capitol

11/03/07

A great way to spend an afternoon

by uradel

St.Paul Minnesota has a particularly beautiful capitol building and grounds. You are free to walk through it on your own or you can take a guided tour with a docent. I have done both and it is a very impressive building rich in architecture and history. If you are an architectural,art or history enthusiast as I am you won't want to miss this gem. If you take the guided tour you also get a loading dose of political history and get to glimpse the inside of our governmental system. This is a definite thumbs up.

• Pros: A beautiful historic landmark
• Cons: none

06/12/07

Great Free tour! Very nice building! See portrait of Jesse Ventura!!!

by filmless1

The tour is informative and impressive for a free one with no reservations required. You even get to go on the roof! Make sure you go downstairs and see Jesse Ventura's portrait! :P

• Pros: Beautiful architecture! Great tour!
• Cons: none

Not just another pretty face, the stunning Capitol houses plenty of activity.

by Contributor

In Short
The first two capitol buildings were in downtown. When it came time to build the third in 1904, land was too expensive, so legislators acquired an old livery stable. Architect Cass Gilbert's marble dome, modeled after St. Peter's, is one of the largest in the U.S. Guided tours leave every hour; self-guided tour brochures are available at the front entrance. The House, Senate and Supreme Court are open for visitors.