Confederation Square And Spring

Confederation Square is downtown, at the intersection of Wellington and Elgin Streets, and has been described as the Canadian equivalent of Trafalgar Square. It forms roughly a wedge shape as Elgin Street splits to meet Wellington, and is bound by national institutions and landmarks. Tulips are found here in planters at the moment. Here we have the National Arts Centre in the background, with the Chateau Laurier in the distance.

Backtracking a bit to the south end of the NAC, this less dense bed of tulips is in the foreground, while the statue of master jazz musician Oscar Peterson lies beyond. The British High Commission is on the other side of Elgin Street.

This terrace is set off to the side on this side of the square. Muskoka chairs are set up at present among the planters. It looks out across the Rideau Canal to the Government Conference Centre at left, and the glass wall of the Ottawa Convention Centre at right.

Crossing the street onto the grounds of the National War Memorial, I took this view of the three buildings collectively called The Chambers.

Then I took in a view of the Memorial itself. This being Victoria Day, the Union Jack was flying at the right.

I crossed to the west side of the square, to take in this view of the Peace Tower and East Block. The building on the left is also a Parliamentary block, housing the offices of the prime minister. Tulip planters and sculptures are found here.