Coming out of the Library of Parliament and back into the Hall Of Honour, our guide, Nick, spoke about some of the details and contrasts between the library being part of the original Centre Block- built out of optimism- and the second Centre Block- built in the aftermath of the First World War, its tone more sombre. I photographed some of the details in the corridor before we moved on.
The next destination was the Senate foyer hall. This is the overhead ceiling, with crests and symbols adorning it. Words are among them as well- the surnames of those Senate Speakers that preceded the building of the new Centre Block. The corridors leading up here included portraits of the Senate Speakers since Confederation.
The walls around this hall include royal portraits, kings and queens, with their consorts visible in the upper levels. King Edward VII and King George V are side by side here.
Queen Victoria is to their left. Her portrait was among those items saved during the 1916 fire.
Across the space are portraits of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II side by side.
I liked the architecture of the nearby staircase, which leads to an outside entrance on the east side of Centre Block. Tomorrow we'll have a look at the Senate chamber.
Beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteThe hall is big and the ceiling is beautiful!
ReplyDelete...a grand place!
ReplyDeleteI like the pattern in the ceiling.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Those ceilings are incredible!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been there in ages! Very cool.
ReplyDelete@Linda: it certainly is.
ReplyDelete@Nancy: it's like a castle.
@Tom: definitely.
@Janis: so do I.
@Marie: they are!
@Jennifer: it's well worth the visit.
Beautiful, it's a very impressive building.
ReplyDeletegorgeous lights, those stain glass ... so amazing. cool times. ( ;
ReplyDeleteHello, it is a beautiful building. lovely details. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!
ReplyDeleteNo expense was spared to build this beautiful building. I've been through it once and will not forget it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful vaulted ceiling in the Senate foyer hall, I'm very partial to arched ceilings ☺
ReplyDeleteThat stained glass window caught my eye. It's so beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful details. I like those arches.
ReplyDeleteI'm overwhelmed by the majesty of this structure. I was thinking how nothing seems to change: the first part of the building was built during a period of optimism, then came WW1, the war to end all wars, followed by the optimism of the "roaring twenties." I think optimism has died in our time, for good reason.
ReplyDelete@Jan: it certainly is.
ReplyDelete@Beth: they built this one well.
@Eileen: thank you!
@Red: it's an iconic architectural element of the country.
@Grace: and so am I.
@Sharon: I suspect that might be new. I can't recall it from my last time in the building.
@Lois: they really stand out.
@Lowell: these days it's hard to think of optimism.
To use your word from your previous post---Magnificent!
ReplyDeleteMB
A grand place, and that stained glass window...
ReplyDeleteThat must have been an interesting tour!
ReplyDeletethe whole place is amazing...love that ceiling!
ReplyDeleteHow suitably grand & very impressive!
ReplyDeleteI like the stained glass window of our flag!
ReplyDelete@MB: it certainly is.
ReplyDelete@Karl: it has to be a relatively new element. I'd have remembered it.
@Marleen: it certainly was.
@Tanya: so do I.
@Christine: very much so.
@RedPat: it stands out so well.
Coincidentally, I just finished watching an episode of "The Crown".
ReplyDeleteVery impressive, I really like the stained glass window of the Canadian flag, it is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMore lovely inside photos of royalty ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka, (A Creative Harbor)
They did great buildings back in the day.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't modern buildings strike that note of elegance, beauty, and function? Or am I just too old fashioned in my likes and dislikes?
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: I have yet to see that.
ReplyDelete@Bill: it most certainly is.
@Carol: we've got a number of their portraits. I wonder how we'll fit in Charles when he becomes king.
@Catalyst: they certainly did.
@Mari: it depends on the building, of course, but a lot of modern architecture can be quite off putting. I like this style, Gothic, and we do have a lot of it in this city.
Looks like quite a grand structure and very imposing as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very beautiful...well worth taking the tour.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful building. I really love the ceiling!
ReplyDeleteGostei de ver estas fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
In case you didn't notice: I admire and love Canada!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of the arcades.
ReplyDeleteFabulous ... especially the ceiling.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I especially like the portraits of the two monarchs.
ReplyDelete@Beatrice: it is.
ReplyDelete@Kay: I certainly think so.
@Tamago: as do I.
@Francisco: thanks!
@Cloudia: thank you!
@Klara: thanks!
@Jan: I agree.
@Norma: so do I.