Peace Tower: A Canadian Icon

Rising 92.2 meters (302 feet) above Parliament Hill, the Peace Tower is a Canadian architectural icon and a powerful symbol of national identity. Constructed after a devastating fire in 1916 that destroyed the original Victoria Tower, it was completed in 1927 as a memorial to Canadians who served and sacrificed during the First World War. Designed in the Victorian High Gothic style by Jean Omer Marchand and John A. Pearson, the tower features intricate stone carvings, including approximately 370 gargoyles, grotesques, and friezes.The Peace Tower houses the Memorial Chamber, a solemn space dedicated to Canadians who have died in conflicts around the world. Stained glass windows and stone quarried from European battlefields evoke remembrance. The chamber contains Books of Remembrance listing the names of fallen soldiers.Visitors can ascend to the observation deck for panoramic views of Ottawa and the surrounding area. The tower also features a carillon of 53 bells, a gift from the United Kingdom, which chime every weekday. During the summer months, the carillon plays from 11 am to noon, while from September to June, the concerts are from noon to 12:15 pm. The four clock faces on each side of the tower bear a striking resemblance to those on Big Ben in London.Currently, the Centre Block is undergoing extensive renovations, but visitors can still experience the Peace Tower through guided tours of the Parliament Buildings. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis at 90 Wellington Street, across from Parliament Hill.