Great Hall
Mosaic ceilings.
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The de facto national library of the United States and the research library of Congress, founded in 1800. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country and one of the largest libraries in the world, with some 173 million items. It occupies three buildings on Capitol Hill next to the Capitol, the finest being the Thomas Jefferson Building, built between 1890 and 1897, with a gilded dome and richly ornamented facades, one of the grandest public buildings in America. Inside is the Great Hall, with marble columns and ceilings decorated with mosaics and paintings, and a balcony overlooking the round Main Reading Room beneath the dome, along with exhibitions of treasures from its manuscripts and rare books. Entry is free, with security screening at the door, per visitor guides, and the building is linked to the Capitol Visitor Center by an underground tunnel, so the two fit easily into one morning.
Mosaic ceilings.
Under the dome.
To the Capitol.
Thomas Jefferson Building, Capitol Hill, Washington
United States CapitolThe seat of both houses of the United States Congress, on Capitol Hill at the ea5 minutes walk4.8
United States Botanic GardenThe oldest continually operating botanic garden in the United States, at the foo9 minutes walk4.9
Washington Union StationA historic railway station, transport hub and shopping destination near Capitol 12 minutes walk4.4
National Air and Space MuseumThe Smithsonian museum of human flight and space exploration, whose main buildin16 minutes walk4.7
National Gallery of ArtOne of the foremost art museums in the United States, on the National Mall, foun17 minutes walk4.9Yes, the Thomas Jefferson Building is free to enter with security screening, per visitor guides.