Monday, September 19, 2016

Library of Parliament

In my humble opinion the Library of Parliament in Ottawa must be one of the most beautiful rooms in the world.  I was thrilled when we finally got in to see it.  It's the beautiful natural woodwork that appeals to me, so if your preference is for art, stone, or statues, you may feel differently.  But you can't avoid seeing how beautiful this room is.

It was one time I wished I had a wide angle lens, but these two photos showing the left and right sides of the room will have to do.  That's Queen Victoria standing in the very centre of the room.  It's a completely circular room, said to be modelled after the Reading Room of the British Museum, but that room doesn't come close in terms of the natural pine woodwork.  The atmosphere was just stunning.


On the outside, as I already showed you, it's a wondrous piece of High Victorian Gothic architecture, best viewed from across the river, or from the water if you take the boat.  Finished by 1876, it was the only part of the original Parliament to survive the devastating fire of 1916, when a quick thinking Librarian closed the iron doors that linked it to the rest of the building.

This picture, on display inside the library, shows the complete devastation of the rest of the building, but the library still standing.  It also survived a tornado in 1888, though all the slate shingles were torn off.

But it's the woodwork inside that inspired me, three floors of library space, all built in pine, with beautiful carvings.  Even the shelves, the railings, and all the other features were beautiful.

As tourists we only got to stand inside the door and look, and it was a Sunday, so it wasn't busy.  But what an experience it would be to actually go into the stacks and wander around.  It has had a complete modern renovation that included proper climate control, fire sprinkler systems, and repairs to the structure, inside and out.

There's a wide variety of carvings, including flowers, creatures, and coats of arms of the provines that existed in 1876. All of this has been cleaned and restored where needed.

The library itself is an octopus of an organization, reaching out from this main parliamentary branch.  Three hundred staff do research on a wide variety of questions, not just for Members of Parliament, but for government staff, and there are several branch libraries in different government departments.

 From the domed ceiling to the parquet floors in cherry, oak and walnut, it's an architectural masterpiece.

We did poke our heads into the Parliamentary Chamber, where our elected politicians argue and bicker, heckle, and occasionally approve important policies.  This is the room from which the country is governed, and in spite of my slight cynicism about politicians, has generally been well governed for 150 years next year!

We also saw the Senate Chamber, often known as the 'Red Chamber'.  At its best our Senate provides a 'sober second thought' before legislation is passed, a role quite different from the U.S. Senate.  In fact the two-part Parliamentary system of democracy we have is quite different overall from the three-part U.S. approach, where the President is a separate office.  In Canada, the Prime Minister is head of the elected party that gains the most votes.

After all these years, I was very glad to see inside the Parliament, especially that library, a room I won't forget!


22 comments:

  1. The library is incredible, I agree. A place every Canadian should see if at all possible. We sat in the gallery for one day parliament was sitting. That too was an experience. The heckling was extreme. As a teacher, I found it hard to listen although it was great to see it all.

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  2. The floors, the cabinets, the tables, and everything, a masterpiece in every way. 300 staff, a dream place to work if you love books, or research. Magnificent beyond anything I could imagine.

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  3. Wow----that is absolutely amazing... I'm SO impressed.... Those fires back then were so so so devastating....

    Glad you got to visit inside the Parliament, especially that gorgeous library... WOW.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. I remember when I visited the library of parliament and how impressed I was.

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  5. What a stunning room - I can only imagine how much more beautiful and breathtaking it is in person. And to think that it might have been lost but for the quick acting librarian. Great tour - thanks so much.

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  6. That library is amazing - and clearly wasted on mere politicians! You seem to have inherited a very British parliamentary system.

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  7. Here in Portugal we have a little and awesome library (Livraria Lello) take a look (http://static.globalnoticias.pt/storage/DN/2016/dn2015_detalhe_topo/ng6420573.JPG)

    But this one is beautifull too ;) Thanks for sharing :)

    https://emierre-photography.blogspot.pt/

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  8. Wonderful, wonderful building. I have worked on several library projects and always enjoy being in them, but that is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. And I must say that your two chambers don't exactly look inelegant, either! As John says, echoes of the British system, possibly, with the leader of the party with the most votes generally being Prime Minister and the Head of State the Queen. I also note that green and red furnishings are the same colours used in the Houses of Commons and Lords in London. interesting post, FG. Great photos - as usual!!

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  9. An amazing building, all that beautiful carving, and the detail is stunning. I thought how it might feel to work there and spend my days inside such a place. Thank you for introducing me to this fine structure. :-)

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  10. Wow - the woodwork is amazing! You're right that is a beautiful room.

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  11. The Library is an astonishingly beautiful space. I've been in there twice. And I've done the tour as well- I should do that again before they close down the Centre Block for the work they'll be doing.

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  12. Such attention to detail. I love the patina on the wood, so warm and inviting. - Margy

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  13. An amazing building and a truly amazing room.

    All the best Jan

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  14. All I can say is WOW. That is an amazing room. Such intricate detail. It is absolutely beautiful.

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  15. As a sometimes woodworker all I can say is WOW!!!! That is a truly spectacular room created by wonderful craftsmen.

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  16. Wow, what an amazing room! I've never seen it. I MUST make a trip there at some point.

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  17. Wow! What a fabulous piece of history! A beautiful building both inside & out.

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  18. I remember being in the library years ago and the beauty and warmth of the wood. It is stunning!

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  19. It is gorgeous! I've never been inside - must get up there one day.

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  20. It is stunning! The carvings are beautiful, what a beautiful place to visit and going to work there would be a real treat! :) Thanks for the photos!

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