Peace Tower

The Peace Tower in Ottawa is the most striking landmark of the Canadian Parliament and stands on the central axis of the Centre Block. The 92.2-meter structure in the Victorian High Gothic style was designed by architects Jean Omer Marchand and John A. Pearson to replace the Victoria Tower, which was destroyed by a fire in 1916. The Nepean sandstone facade is richly decorated with about 370 gargoyles, grotesques, and friezes, while the reinforced concrete roof is covered in copper. Visitors can ride a sloping elevator up to an observation deck that encircles the tower. For a long time, the tower offered the highest view in the city, until the height restriction on other buildings was lifted. At the top of the tower are four large clock faces, whose mechanism was made by the Verdin Company.

The structure serves not only as an architectural highlight but also as the central memorial to Canada's fallen of World War I. Inside, the tower houses the Memorial Chamber, a vaulted room directly above the entrance area. It is adorned with colorful stained-glass windows depicting allegorical scenes such as the call to arms, remembrance, and the dawn of peace. The floor and walls are partly made of stone that the architect brought back personally from European battlefields, as well as brass plaques made from spent shell casings. In glass cases on seven altars lie the Books of Remembrance, which list the names of all Canadian soldiers who have fallen in various conflicts since the War of 1812.

Another highlight is the 53-bell carillon, which was inaugurated in 1927 for the 60th anniversary of Confederation. The bells, cast by the English foundry Gillett & Johnston, span a range of 4.5 octaves and are played by a specialized carillonneur. The carillon was originally conceived as a memorial to the Armistice of 1918. Since February 2022, however, the instrument has been out of service while it undergoes a comprehensive restoration. The tower itself also underwent a two-year conservation project in the 1990s to protect the stone surfaces and repair moisture damage.