The Grandest Views In The Capital

Carrying on where we left off yesterday, here we have a look up on the south face at some of the architecture of the Peace Tower. To address a comment from yesterday, while the tower rises to a total height of 92.5 metres, the observation deck is at 60 metres.

The panel is directly beneath it.

In this display case, with the west side beyond it, is the original Hipp type clock movement, built in England and installed in 1927. It was replaced by a synchronous electric motor in 1970.

A display panel shows some of the landmarks west of here.

Looking down, we see the West Block in the foreground. A courtyard has been covered over with a sloping glass ceiling- one that does not detract from the Gothic architecture, with the Mackenzie Tower above it. Within the courtyard is the interim House of Commons, enclosed from the elements but open to the sky. The glass of the ceiling is enabled to become shaded, so that a sunny day won't be too glaring on proceedings inside. The Confederation and Justice Buildings, two additional blocks of Parliament, lie to the west, with the Supreme Court beyond that.

Here we have a look upstream on the Ottawa River. The Court looms above it, and the river makes its way between Ottawa and Gatineau among a group of islands and the Portage and Chaudiere Bridges.

On the north side of the observation deck, another panel shows landmarks and places.

And here we have the view north, with the Library of Parliament front and center over the river. The Canadian Museum of History is over on the Gatineau shore, while the Alexandra and Macdonald-Cartier Bridges cross the river. Ice has built up on the river below since I was up here. Nepean Point is the high ground at right.

Another angle adds the National Gallery and Major's Hill Park to the mix.

And here we have one more of the panels.

A look up shows the north side clock face.

One last glance of the north view, with the Gatineau Hills off in the distance.

And then it was time to leave. I stepped into the elevator, still the only visitor on the observation deck, and the guide suggested I photograph looking up through the gap at some of the infrastructure above. Tomorrow we turn to the Memorial Chamber.