Rotunda

The Rotunda, also called Confederation Hall, is located inside the main entrance of the Centre Block.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

The Rotunda is the heart of the Centre Block. To the north, at the other end of the Hall of Honour, is the Library of Parliament. The Rotunda marks also the midpoint of the main south corridor running between the House of Commons at the west end of the building and the Senate at the east end.

The Rotunda, also called the Confederation Hall, is the formal entrance to Centre Block. Its grandeur immediately reveals the significance of the building and the institutions it houses. It welcomes visitors with an elaborate representation of Canada's political landscape. With carved and sculpted symbols of every province and territory, it also welcomes every Canadian home.

Photo: © 2001 Library of Parliament

Imposing and dignified, the Rotunda reinforces Centre Block as a Neo-Gothic building. Soaring across the high vaulted ceiling, arcs join together at the central column. This column dominates the room, as if channelling all the energy of the building and anchoring it firmly there.

An intricate inlaid marble pattern swirls around the base of the column, representing the water that has been so vital in Canada's development and alludes to Canada's motto: From Sea to Sea. A mariner's compass seems to symbolise that Canada's vastness stretches out in all directions.

From its initial designs in 1916, the Rotunda was meant to represent the coming together of the diverse elements of Canada in a strong federation. Each one of the provinces and territories, including those that joined after the construction of the room are represented by their coats of arms. Thirty different animals found across Canada cavort around these symbols.

The Rotunda tells another, less obvious story. While it reflects the importance of Confederation, it also tells what was important to Canada at the time it was built. The inscription on the central column bears a dedication to those that participated in the First World War.

Centre Block was rebuilt as the war raged. Many of the engineers, craftsmen and labourers were involved in the war. So the reconstruction, just as Canada's participation in the war, is also the story of ordinary Canadians doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times.