Washington - attractions and places of interest. Washington - the center of political life in the United States Famous buildings of Washington
In the center of Washington is National Mall (National Mall). It is an open area with memorials and numerous museums displaying works of art from all over the world.
In the center of the Mall is the most important monument in the District of Columbia - Washington Monument. This is a marble obelisk, directed straight to the sky.
On the west side of the National Mall is located Lincoln Memorial. Inside the memorial there is a grandiose sculpture of the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln, who gazed towards the Capitol.
Between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is National World War II Memorial. In the same western part of the Mall, there are two more significant memorials dedicated to the memory of soldiers who fought in the Korean and Vietnamese wars: Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Nine buildings of the Smithsonian Institution are located on the segment of the Mall between the Washington Monument and the Capitol. Here is the most popular city museum - National Air and Space Museum (National Air and Space Museum).
Standing behind him National Museum of Natural History (National Museum of Natural History), which contains the legendary diamond "Hope".
Nearby is located National Museum of American History (National Museum of American History), nicknamed the "American Attic". IN National Archives (National Archives) the most important documents of the country are shown: the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the US Constitution.
To the south of the National Mall lie the waters of the Tidal Basin, on whose banks Japanese cherries grow. This place is especially beautiful in spring, when you can admire the reflection of cherry blossoms on the calm surface of the water pool.
Other commemorative memorials can be seen around Tidal Basin: The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial , District of Columbia War Memorial. The interior walls of the neoclassical Jefferson Memorial are inscribed with classic quotes from America's Founding Fathers.
High above the Capitol Hill rise the rotunda and the dome Capitol (United States Capitol). Its friezes and frescoes depict 400 years of US history.
The Capitol is surrounded by magnificent government buildings, including the US Supreme Court building. The Thomas Jefferson Building houses a reading room Library of Congress.
Among the flower beds, lawns and shady parks is the residence of the head of the American administration - White House. Undoubtedly, this is the most famous white sandstone mansion in the world.
When we read newspapers or watch news about the United States on TV, we often hear about Washington, DC. In addition to its political significance, it is also a huge cultural and educational center, home to some of the best museums, galleries, universities and architectural monuments in the country. This article is about the main attractions. In English it is written as Washington D.C.(District of Columbia), and most people briefly call it just DC (DC), not to be confused with the name of the state of Washington, which is located in the northwest of the country.
I’ll tell you my personal opinion right away - Washington is one of the most beloved cities in the USA, I love its unique spirit, not like somewhere in New York or Chicago, where people are constantly running somewhere where money smells in the air, where the streets are similar to each other, with two walls stretching somewhere into the horizon. There is something completely different in Washington, it smells of power here. The real such political power is everywhere people constantly entering and leaving the doors of endless ministries, departments and departments.
People who work in the state apparatus of the most powerful state in the world, they almost all go to work by public transport; pushing and even pushing each other at the entrance to the subway; stand in the morning for Starbucks coffee, creating lines for half a block, just to grab a glass of coffee and run to work; they all wear business suits, so when you come to the station, you may even be surprised - is it a station or, say, an airport. 
The central part of the city is National Mall, a wide park lined with two of the most protected buildings in the country, the White House and the Capitol, as well as many museums and monuments. It is worth saying that when I went to Washington for the first time, I thought that the name Mall meant a huge shopping center))) Maybe I'm not the only one, that's why I'm writing about it.
Since the city is full of sights, if not of the world, then at least of a national scale, and tourists come here for a maximum of two incomplete days, I would like to do this - first I will write about the so-called must see attractions, something that is simply a must see when you are here. And then I’ll tell you about other interesting places and objects, acquaintance with which will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of Washington.
All you need to do is take a map of Washington DC and put on it all the places that will be discussed below. After that, you will see that everything is very, very close to each other and, depending on your free time, you can see all these sights on your own or during the many excursions that are held in the city.
National Mall. During the initial planning of the city, instead of a park, a huge street with a length of more than 2 kilometers and a width of about 120 meters was supposed to run. However, the street was never built, instead a huge open park appeared, around which many government institutions were later built.
I cannot say that this is some uniquely beautiful place, like Central Park in New York or Millennium Park in Chicago. Not at all, it's just an open square, with, by the way, not very well-groomed lawns, walking paths, places for outdoor games and so on. 
The mall is bounded by the Capitol on one side and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial on the other. The distance from one attraction to another is 3 kilometers, which is quite enough for a leisurely walk for half a day. Moreover, between them there will be several more museums, a memorial to George Washington and the White House.
Since the mall is located directly in front of the Capitol, up to 3 million people gather here to listen to the president's inaugural speech after the election.
Capitol (United States Capitol)
The address: East Capitol St NE & First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
The construction of this iconic building in the US in the Empire style, with huge columns, porticoes and a huge dome, was laid by George Washington himself in 1793. However, the construction dragged on for several decades, during which the building was rebuilt, burned and restored, reconstructed and expanded. 
It was the Capitol that was the basis for the planning of the District of Columbia, its geographical center, and it is he who divides the city into four quadrants. Conventionally, the Capitol consists of two parts - southern and northern. In the District of Columbia, there is a law that prohibits the construction of buildings higher than the Capitol within the district. Therefore, there are no skyscrapers in Washington DC. All of them are already outside the district, on the other side of the Potomac River, on which the city stands, in suburban Arlington, Roslin and Alexandria. 
The US Congress sits in both parts that make up the building. The lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives of the US Congress, sits in the southern part of the building (it has 435 seats in total and congressmen are elected to it from each, depending on its population).
In the northern part of the building is the upper chamber - the Senate. The Senate ensures equal representation of all states (2 people per state), so 100 people (senators) sit in the Senate. All laws must be approved by both houses of parliament, and since the process of passing a law is preceded by long agreements, all multi-page laws go from one wing of the building to another.
White House
The address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20500
Opened: 1800 Start of construction: 1792
The official residence of all US presidents. The construction was completed in 1800 and already in 1801 the current President John Adams became its owner.
The building has 6 floors - 2 basements, two for public receptions and two for the president and his family. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the White House, but you need to sign up for a tour almost six months in advance. 
The White House is not something top secret, through the fence it is quite possible to see how helicopters with top officials of the state arrive and fly to the site in front of the building. However, note that snipers are constantly on the building itself. Despite the openness of this facility, no one canceled the security of the president and his family.
Monument to George Washington (Washington Monument)
The address: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Opened: 1888 Start of construction: 1848
The monument is the tallest stone structure in the world and at the same time the tallest obelisk in the world, which rises above the city to a height of almost 170 meters.
The construction of the monument began in 1848, and the official opening took place only in 1888. Such a long construction period is due to the lack of funding for the monument caused by the American Civil War. 
Approximately at a height of 46 meters, one can discern a change in the color of the marble from which the monument is built. This is due to the fact that after the resumption of construction, marble was delivered from other mines in Maryland, the color of which was different from the original. For a whole year from the moment of opening until the completion of the construction of the Eiffel Tower, the obelisk in the center of Washington remained the tallest building in the world.
Not many people know, but tourists have the opportunity to climb to the top of the obelisk to the observation deck. To do this, you need to stock up on time and defend a fairly large queue. However, after the earthquake on August 23, 2011, cracks were found in the obelisk and it was closed to the public during the reconstruction.
National World War II Memorial
The address: 1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20006
Opened: 2004 Start of construction: 1995
One of the youngest memorials in Washington, was built by order of Bill Clinton, opened by George W. Bush on May 29, 2004 and is dedicated to veterans and soldiers who died during World War II. An interesting fact is that it was built on donations from both ordinary citizens and many veteran organizations. 
The memorial is an oval composition, in the center of which there is a pool 75x45 meters, framed by granite slabs with the name of all the states and territories that took part in that war. Also in the northern and southern parts of the memorial are two arches engraved with "Atlantic" and "Pacific".
Reflecting Pool (The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool)
Opened: 1923 Start of construction: 1922
It is part of the Lincoln Memorial and at the same time the largest reflecting pool in Washington. At 618 meters long, 51 meters wide and 46 to 76 centimeters deep, it was built between 1922 and 1923 and is one of the favorite photographic spots for the more than 25 million tourists who visit Washington every year. 
It is also noteworthy that it was near this pool in 1963 that thousands of black Americans stood, who listened to Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his historic speech “I have a dream”.
Lincoln Memorial
The address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20024
Opened: 1922 Start of construction: 1914
The memorial was built in honor of the 16th and one of the most beloved US Presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Now it is one of the most favorite vacation spots for both locals and tourists. From its steps opens, as the Americans say, an iconic view of the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the reflecting pool and the Capitol, especially since access to the memorial is open 24 hours a day. 
The building, measuring 58x36x30 meters, was built in the classical Doric style, taken from ancient Greek architecture. The roof rests on 36 Doric columns, symbolizing the 36 states that were part of the United States at the time of Lincoln's death. Above are the names of all 50 modern states with the dates of their accession to the United States.
Inside is a huge marble statue of Lincoln sitting on a pedestal. The walls are engraved with two of his most famous speeches - the first "Gettysburg speech" and the second - the inaugural speech during the introduction to the second term. 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Opened: 1982 Start of construction: 1982
The memorial consists of three parts - the Statue of the Three Soldiers, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the most famous - the Vietnam Veterans Wall.
The memorial, located slightly north of the Lincoln Memorial, was completed in 1982 and is now visited by more than 3 million people a year. The aforementioned wall, consisting of two parts 75 meters long each, contains 59.195 names. It was built with the money of a non-governmental organization of Vietnam veterans, which collects funds and donations. 
Memorial to Korean War Veterans (Korean War Veterans Memorial)
Opened: 1995 Start of construction: 1992
The memorial was inaugurated on July 27, 1995, on the 42nd anniversary of the end of the Korean War, by US and Korean Presidents Bill Clinton and Kim Young Sam who personally participated in that war.
The memorial is a huge triangle intersecting with a circle. The walls, made of Californian granite, are engraved with more than 2,500 photographs of battles in the air, on water and on land. Inside the walled triangle are 19 statues of soldiers patrolling the area in full gear. The soldiers are made to a size slightly larger than their natural height. 
The circle that the triangle rests on is the Pool of Memory. This is a shallow pond lined with black granite, next to which the number of soldiers killed, wounded, missing and held captive is written.
Jefferson Memorial
Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1938
The memorial is dedicated to the third president of the United States and was opened to the public in 1947. As conceived by the architects, the memorial was supposed to be located on the same line with the White House and the monument to George Washington, however, due to the wetlands, the monument had to be moved to the east.
The building is made in the form of an ancient Roman pantheon, it is an open-type marble rotunda, surrounded on all sides by steps. Inside the memorial is a statue of Thomas Jefferson and an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. 
The memorial is surrounded by a huge number of cherry trees, which were donated to Washington by the people of Japan in 1912. It is here that every March-April the famous cherry blossom festival- The Cherry Blossom Festival, when, just like in Japan, thousands of cherry trees are covered with flowers for just a few days.
The Pentagon (Pentagon)
The address: 1400 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1941
The main building of the US Department of Defense is located in Arlington, just a ten minute drive from downtown Washington. Built in 1942, the building is the world's largest office building in terms of footprint. Approximately 23,000 military and 3,000 non-defense professionals work in this building. 
The Pentagon, as the name suggests, has five sides. This seven-story building (five above ground and two basement floors) is pierced inside by five circular corridors, which together have a length of almost 29 kilometers.
The center has an open area of 20,000 square meters called Ground Zero. The name comes from the days of the Cold War and suggests that in the event of a nuclear war, the USSR would send at least one of its missiles to this very place.
You can get to the Pentagon by metro, because there is a huge transfer hub with a metro and bus station nearby. However, it should be borne in mind that photographing the building is prohibited and, of course, no one will let you inside.
These were the main attractions that you should definitely look out for when you are planning a trip to Washington. Moreover, most of them are included in the List of American Architecture - a list of the most famous and beloved by Americans of buildings and structures. The following is an extended list of attractions and places of interest in Washington DC.
Smithsonian Institution
A visit to one of its museums should be a must when visiting Washington. Firstly, these are truly world-class museums, and secondly, they are free. And all this thanks to a scientific organization that is financed primarily from the state budget - the Smithsonian Institution.
The organization unites 19 museums, 11 of which are located on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, the National Zoo and 9 research centers. This the world's largest museum complex, which brings together many monuments of architecture, along with the latest exhibition halls, its collection contains more than 136 million items, and also publishes two popular science magazines - Smithsonian and Air & Space.
Here are just a few museums I would recommend visiting if you have the time:
– Air and Space Museum(Museum of Cosmonautics and Aeronautics); 
— natural history museum(National Museum of Natural History);
— National Zoo(Zoo);
— National American Indian Museum(Museum of the American Indian); 
— NationalAmerican Art Museum(Museum of American Art);
— The National Portrait Gallery(Portrait Gallery) and many others.
Arlington National Cemetery. The military cemetery, which is located directly opposite the Lincoln Memorial, across the Potomac River in the city of Arlington, Virginia. It was founded during the Civil War and since then the heroes of all wars in which the United States is involved have been buried on it. However, it is most interesting for tourists because John and Jacqueline Kennedy are buried on it. 
The cemetery is large enough and divided into 70 sections, for easier orientation inside. There is also a huge amphitheater ( Arlington Memorial Amphitheater), where ceremonies are held on Memorial and Veterans Days, as well as on Easter. Every day there are guard changes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( Tomb of the Unknowns).
union station. The railway station, which is located in the heart of Washington, just a few minutes walk from the Capitol and which is visited by more than 32 million people a year (of which almost 5 million are direct passengers). 
It is the southernmost point of the Northeast Corridor, an electrified rail line that links major American cities such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. It is also where the headquarters of Amtrak is located.
Due to the huge number of civil servants working in the city, getting to the station, it seems that you are at least at the airport. People in suits are always in a hurry somewhere, grabbing coffee and fresh pastries on the go, and shoe shines also have enough work. In general, Union Station is not only a transport hub, but there are also a large number of cafes and restaurants, shops and travel agencies. Plus, the building itself is a kind of work of architectural art. 
National Cathedral (National Cathedral). The official name of this religious building is Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Built in neo-Gothic style, it is the sixth tallest cathedral in the world and the second tallest in the United States. More than 400 thousand tourists visit this cathedral every year.
Construction began in 1907, but ended 83 years later, only in 1990. When planning the city back in the late 18th century, the building was to be built in the very center of the city, on the site where the Portrait Gallery is now located. However, construction was delayed and began more than a hundred years after the plan was developed. Tourists are given the opportunity to climb the bell tower, which offers a very good view of Washington. 
Library of Congress (Library of Congress). Formally, this is the main library of the country, as well as the largest library in the world in terms of shelf space. It occupies four buildings, the main of which is located immediately behind the Capitol.
The library was founded in 1800, but the main building was not built until 1897. It contains more than 32 million books in 470 languages of the world, such unique exhibits as a draft of the Declaration of Independence, one of the four surviving Gutenberg Bibles, millions of audio recordings, photographs, government documents and more. The library is open for free visits by tourists, and with a library card, also for access to funds. 
In the end, I would just like to list a few additional interesting places that you can see while in Washington:
Downtown Alexandria) (can be reached in 20 minutes by subway from downtown Washington); 
— U.S. Navy Memorial(Memorial to the soldiers of the US Navy);
— Kennedy Center for Performing Arts(Kennedy Concert Hall);
— George Washington University(George Washington University campus) and Georgetown University;
— Dupont Circle;
— FBI building(FBI building); 
— botanical garden(Botanical Garden);
— Chinatown DC;
—Federal Triangle;
The first stone in the building of the future official residence of the presidents of the United States, known worldwide as the White House, was laid on October 13, 1792. The project was designed by architect James Hoban, with the active participation of George Washington.
The first US president not only made his own adjustments to the Hoban project, but was also an active participant in choosing a site for construction. According to Washington, it was to be a place on the Potomac River that would not exceed ten square miles. Eight years later, on November 1, 1800, the $2.5 million building was completed.
The building of the presidential residence is made in the Palladian style, which is based on elements borrowed from ancient Greek temple architecture and strict observance of symmetry.
The interiors of the White House are made in a different style, each of them has not only an original finish and purpose, but also its own names. The oval Blue Hall is intended for official receptions, the Green Hall - for informal meetings. Office of the Presidents - Oval Office. Visitors to the White House can see the personal belongings of former US presidents, as well as members of their families.
Modern Art Museum
This museum is housed in a very nice building with a combination of old and new architecture. The portraits are just amazing. It's like a chance to visit with some delightful people from American history. Simply magical. And contemporary art is a lot of fun too.
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Lincoln Memorial
Visiting the Lincoln Memorial is a popular itinerary for tourists in downtown Washington. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in memory of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He became famous for leading the Northern States to victory in the bloody Civil War, which ended the era when the economy was based on slave labor. The construction of the memorial complex took 8 years. It symbolizes the main idea of President Lincoln - faith in the freedom of man.
The architecture of the Memorial resembles an ancient Greek temple - the building has the shape of a rectangle, which is made up of 38 snow-white marble Doric columns in height. Each column is about 13 meters high and over 2 meters in diameter. Two columns form the entrance to the memorial, and the remaining 36 indicate the number of states that made up the country during the Lincoln years. The total height of the complex exceeds 50 meters.
The main attraction inside the memorial is a huge statue of Lincoln, which weighs 175 tons. Depicted in a thoughtful pose, the president seems to be looking at the Washington Monument and the Capitol. Nearby are two large slabs, one of which is carved with Lincoln's speech during his second inauguration, and the second with a speech after the Battle of Gettysburg.
The memorial complex is especially beautiful at night - night illumination strikes with originality and majesty. Near the complex is the famous Sparkling Pool, which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. This is one of the places that should definitely be visited by every tourist who wants to get acquainted with the capital of one of the greatest world powers.
The National Theater in Washington DC is the oldest theater in the United States, having been performing since 1835. Performances, plays and musicals of the National Theater are comparable in level to the Broadway ones. It survived five huge fires in the 19th century, one of them broke out right during the production of Beauty and the Beast. Five times the building was reconstructed on the same site, the last major reconstruction took place in 1984.
The theater was founded by prominent citizens of the city under the leadership of William Corcoran, who wanted to have a chic theater in their capital. The first production at the then National Theater was Man of the World. The theater worked almost continuously, its audience was mainly the high society of the city - a few blocks from the theater building is the White House. The name of the theater has changed several times depending on the change of ownership. For a while, even the famous actor Joseph Jefferson ran it.
Now the National Theater boasts a hall with 1676 seats. It played such famous premieres as "Madama Butterfly" and "West Side Story". Such world theater stars as Jenny Lind, Sarah Bernard, Vivien Leigh, Katharine Hepburn, Helen Hayes and many others have visited its stage at different times. Even now, the National Theater maintains a tradition of staging Broadway and pre-Broadway performances.
Library of Congress
The US Library of Congress, founded in 1800, is one of the largest libraries in the world and is the oldest public cultural institution in the United States. In addition to its unique library collections, it attracts the attention of numerous visitors with its architecture. The Library of Congress building complex includes three buildings on Capitol Hill connected by underpasses, as well as a depository in Virginia.
The history of the Library is filled with numerous dramatic events, as is the history of the Capitol building, in which it was located for almost the entire 19th century. Several times the library was damaged by fires, most of the books that came to the library as a gift from the third US president, Thomas Jefferson, perished in the fire.
In 1897, a new building of the Library was erected, in the architecture of which elements of the Italian Renaissance can be traced. 26 artists and 22 sculptors worked on the project of the new building, and as a result of their joint creative efforts, a true work of art was obtained. In addition to its architectural charms, the Library was a real engineering miracle of that time - it housed its own power plant, fire-fighting book depositories, as well as special elevators for books. The main facade of the Library building is decorated with a magnificent fountain, vaguely reminiscent of the famous Roman Trevi Fountain.
The Library of Congress collection contains more than 132 million copies of books published in 470 languages of the world, hundreds of thousands of microfilms, about 5 million maps, notes, numerous prints, photographs and even comics, more than 1 million copies of newspapers published over the past three centuries. This is truly a unique and versatile collection of literature.
Eastern market
East Market in Washington DC is the oldest public market and has been a center of commerce for over 200 years. It is located on Capitol Hill, in a historic 19th-century brick building, recognized as a monument of architecture. The Oriental Market is much smaller than traditional public markets, but it is still a culinary treasure trove filled with history, tradition and delicious food.
It has a wide range of farm products, including fresh meats, baked goods, cheeses, vegetables and fruits. The attraction of the Eastern Market is the flea market, striking in its diversity. Artisans and antique dealers offer a wide range of goods from all over the world.
The gallery of the market hosts art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances. The Eastern Market has a long history and is one of the most attractive tourist sites.
Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the most interesting places in Washington DC. Active construction in this area began in the 30s of the twentieth century, when, on the recommendation of the city authorities, the Chinese began to come here from the central districts of the city.
Today, Chinatown is a world-famous tourist quarter with many Asian restaurants and souvenir shops. Here is the famous Arch of Friendship, made in the style of traditional Chinese gates. It was built in 1986 and features seven colorfully painted pagoda roofs and 272 dragons in the style of the Qing and Ming imperial dynasties.
Chinatown is famous for its traditions - the annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, various festivals and colorful costume performances. The old Patent Office building houses two museums that are part of the famous Smithsonian Institution: the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American Art.
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Potomac River
The Potomac is one of the major waterways of the United States, forming a significant segment of the border between the states of Maryland and Virginia, and western Virginia. The river originates in the Appachi Mountains and flows into the Chesapeake Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. The banks of the river are picturesque: in the Harpers Ferry area, it flows through a rocky gorge in the Blue Mountains and forms a waterfall, in addition, there is a real expanse for fishing enthusiasts.
For the first time, the leg of a European entered around 1570, when the Spaniards visited these parts. Then in 1608, Captain John Smith described and mapped the river, after which traders from Virginia settled here. A few years later, the Potomac became the main transport artery of the colony. During the Civil War, the river formed the northeastern border of the Southern Confederacy.
The origin of the word "Potomac" is associated with the name of one of the Indian tribes that inhabited the southern coast. Historians believe that it meant "a trading place" or "a place to which tribute is brought." As for the Indians themselves, they called the river "goose".
The most popular attractions in Washington with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Washington on our website.
Individual and group
The permanent capital of the United States is a city that is not part of any state, but officially constitutes, together with Georgetown, the District of Columbia. It is home to 600,000 citizens and the population of Columbia (district) is 5.5 million.
History of Washington
The city appeared on the world map in 1791. Named after the first American president, who is considered its founder. Native Americans - Indians who lived on the banks of the Potomac. In 1800, the American Congress began its work in Washington. In 1814, British troops occupied the capital and practically destroyed it.
Washington is a city in which, until the beginning of the 20th century, the streets were not paved. In spring and autumn, there was such dirt here that many senators proposed moving the capital to a more suitable place. But in the next ten years it was put in order, the streets were asphalted, and the city began to correspond to the level of the capital.
US capital today
Washington has been the capital of the United States for over two hundred and twenty years. Now it is a beautiful and modern metropolis, which annually welcomes tourists from all over the world. Many come to the USA to get acquainted with the history and culture of the country. Their excursion program necessarily includes the sights of Washington. There really is something to see here. Today we will tell you what interesting things can be seen in the US capital.
Landmarks of Washington
After the death of the 16th President of the United States (Lincoln), an idea arose to build a commemorative memorial. A creative competition was announced to create the best project. The victory in 1865 was won by two outstanding sculptors - Henry Bacon and Chester French.
Construction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington began only in 1914. Work continued until 1922. More than 50,000 people attended the opening ceremony on May 30, 1922.
The memorial impresses guests of the capital with its monumentality and impressive size. The building is 57 meters high and 36 meters wide. Outwardly, it somewhat resembles a temple; some tourists notice in it a resemblance to the Greek Parthenon.
There are 36 white marble columns along the perimeter of the memorial. This is a symbol of the United States - 36 states made up the state when A. Lincoln was killed.
His statue is located in the very center of the memorial. The President is seated in a chair, his face turned towards the Washington Monument. The height of the sculpture of President Lincoln is 6 meters, and its weight is more than 150 tons.
Inside the memorial, you can see two large stone slabs engraved with Lincoln's most significant speeches: an address to the people in 1865, as well as his famous Gettysburg speech, which he delivered at the opening ceremony of the National Memorial Cemetery in 1863. .
The names of the states (48) are carved on the outside of the building - this number was by the time construction was completed (1922).
The Lincoln Monument can be visited at night. It is illuminated by powerful spotlights, which further emphasize the grandeur of the memorial. According to the statistics of American experts, more than 6 million people from different parts of the Earth visit the sights of Washington every year, and all of them visit the memorial. On February 12, Lincoln's birthday, politicians and ordinary citizens gather here to honor the memory of their great president.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington is a city that remembers those who died during the Vietnam War. In memory of them, this memorial was built in the capital. It is located in Constitution Garden on the National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial.
The monument is a not very deep trench, shaped like the letter V, which is lined with black granite on the outside. The large wall bears the names of 58,000 Americans who died or went missing during that war. The composition is crowned by a sculpture of three soldiers standing on a hill, located on the inside of the memorial. The sculptural composition was made by F. Hart, the author of the project was the architect Maya Lin.
The opening of the memorial took place in 1982. Since then, it has been part of the national park network.
White House
The official residence of the current presidents of the United States, in addition, this is a very beautiful building. It is a landmark of the capital and a symbol of the country.
Construction of the White House in Washington began at the end of 1792. The author of the project was James Hoban. George Washington himself supervised the construction. Eight years later (1800) the building work was completed. Its first inhabitant was President John Adams.
The White House in Washington DC has a fascinating history. The building burned down twice - in 1814 it was set on fire by the British and in 1929, when President Herbert Hoover was in power. Then the building was carefully restored. Its appearance has not changed, and today it looks the same as two hundred years ago.
The palace is made in the Palladian style. It has two wings and six floors. The interiors are different in their purpose, have different names and interior decoration. For example, the Oval Office is the workplace of the president, the Oval Blue Room is intended for ceremonial receptions, the Green Room is for informal conversations.
National Cathedral
The sights of Washington attract many tourists with unusual architecture. The National Catholic Cathedral, made in the Gothic style, is famous for its exquisite stained glass windows, magnificent gargoyles and lush gardens that surround it.
The cathedral was built for mass worship. Today it is the largest Catholic church in the Western Hemisphere.
For the first time, J. Washington thought about creating such a structure in 1791. But his idea was brought to life only a hundred years later. At the beginning of construction, a stone brought from Bethlehem was laid in the foundation of the temple.
Today it is not just a visited attraction. First of all, it is the most important religious and social center of the country.
Georgetown
This ancient and very attractive area is very popular in the city of Washington (USA). Locals love to walk here, and guests of the capital also enjoy relaxing here.
It is located in the northwest of the city. This picturesque suburb is very beautiful: cobbled streets, old buildings, beautiful brick houses with intricate porches.
In this part of the capital, you can see Georgetown University, the Dumbarton Oaks mansion, an old stone house, the Tudor Manor Museum, the Lutheran Church, and Waterfront Park.
This area is considered the richest and most fashionable quarter of the capital.
There are many shops, boutiques, luxury hotels, cafes and restaurants, nightclubs.
The city of Washington made a strange impression on me. IMHO, this is not a living and real city like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, but some kind of life-size "model" of the city. That is, everything seems to be in place, but the spirit of the city is not felt categorically. No bubbling energy New York, industrial power and gloss Chicago, European charm San Francisco, love of life New Orleans or Miami and (running a little ahead) colonial charm and comfort Philadelphia.
It seems that it is not people who live here, but only faceless officials "functioning" - and, like those officials, the city of Washington appears "dressed" in a boring official suit. Some kind of gray, faded, colorless. Of course, there are many world-famous attractions in Washington: the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, lincoln memorial. But all this seemed to me somehow lifeless, like the scenery for a film, when they can build a whole street or block for filming, and then dismantle it all in a day or two. It is quite possible that these are my personal “defects of perception”, because by the time I arrived in the US capital, I had slept for 4 hours for several days and simply accumulated banal fatigue, which, quite likely, influenced my impression of Washington as a city. I met people who really like this city - but I personally do not belong to them. Washington, with its bureaucratic "artificiality," reminded me a bit of The Hague.
According to historical chronicles, George Washington personally chose a place for the future capital of the United States, and also engaged in raising capital and supervised the progress of construction work. On his behalf, the French engineer (characteristically, not an architect) Pierre Lanfant "planned out a beautiful city with wide alleys and luxurious mansions." The fact that the choice fell on the Frenchman is not surprising - at that time, after the successful war for the independence of the North American United States against Great Britain, the British were not in favor and, quite naturally, a Frenchman was invited to the role of the creator of the new capital - a representative of a country always ready “insert a hairpin” for the British: in addition to the city of Washington, France has another world-famous American symbol and “an example of architectural taste” on its conscience - the Statue of Liberty in New York.
Interestingly, the American idea of creating an artificial city for officials gave its shoots in distant Brazil in the form of the new capital of the country, the city of Brasilia. Moreover, in my humble opinion, the Brazilians succeeded in implementing this bold plan a little better than the Americans.
Today, Washington stands out from other US cities not only for its featureless architecture and dull atmosphere, but also for several purely democratic incidents: although the population of the district elects its mayor, the city is governed directly by the US Congress; the only deputy from Washington in the House of Representatives does not have the right to vote there, and in the Senate Washington has no delegates at all - in the light of the above, it is not surprising that the people of Washington consider their city "the last colony of the United States."
Washington Landmarks: The White House
White House- a small building in downtown Washington at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, used by the current US presidents as their residence, is known - if only by its name - to the majority of the literate population of the Earth.
In fact, in reality, the house is rather nondescript, it looks like an ordinary villa of a middle-class tycoon. In this moment, the Anglo-Saxon "continuity" is clearly traced: London's Buckingham Palace, the residence of the Queen there, is also no more impressive than an ordinary tram stop. If you wish, you can discern the “modesty of power” and its “closeness to the people” in this fact - but I had no such desire, so I saw only an ordinary “landlord’s estate” with a garden in the White House in Washington.
At one time, excursions to the White House were popular among tourists, but after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the then American president closed this shop - and now, instead of contemplating the famous Green Room (with green silk-covered walls and interiors in the style of the 18th century), the East Room ( where Nixon once announced his resignation) and the Red Room (for some reason very beloved by the first ladies), tourists are only offered to graze in an organized way in the garden in front of the White House. Although, if there is an irresistible desire to touch the holy of holies of America, you can visit a thematic exhibition dedicated to the residence of American presidents - address 1450 Pennsylvania avenue, open daily from 7:30 to 16:00.
Anti-Israeli picket in front of the White House:
Washington Landmarks: Hoover House and National Archives
Hoover House(J. Edgar Hoover building) is the headquarters of the American FBI, which is known to everyone who even occasionally watches Hollywood products.
Among other things, the Hoover House is known for its impressive collection of weapons, which at various times passed as evidence - if you wish, you can admire the tools of such celebrities as Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde and others. You can read more about visiting the Hoover House and the exhibition at www.fbi.gov/aboutus/tour/tour.htm.
Literally across the street from the FBI headquarters is located US National Archives- a place where priceless artifacts such as the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution with the first ten amendments, the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights are stored with all possible respect.
Washington Landmarks: The Capitol
The fact that in the capital of the United States, the city of Washington, a building was to be erected for the work of senators and the House of Representatives, there is even a mention in the American Constitution, adopted in 1787. In 1800, in the still unfinished building, the US Congress met for the first time - and the congressmen of the “stronghold of freedom and democracy” were not particularly embarrassed by the fact that the Capitol building was built by the forces of slaves. In 1814, that first building was almost completely destroyed by the British, who sought to return their recalcitrant colony. As a role model, the builders of the American Capitol took the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome - and the Americans do not particularly hide this fact (in principle, Americans do not tend to reflect on any occasion).
Getting into the Capitol is somewhat easier for a tourist than into the White House - and for good reason. Passing massive bronze doors, designed to inspire awe and respect for authority, visitors find themselves in a huge round vestibule with a diameter of 30 meters, covered with a dome. Apparently, the main purpose of this room is to aggravate the impression previously made by bronze doors. In addition, at the Capitol Tour Center you can get free tickets to the Hall of Statues, which features sculptures of 100 of America's most prominent people - characters for the hall were selected fairly, two from each state.
The Capitol building is only part of a huge complex that also includes the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court (both also located on Capitol Hill, east of the main Capitol building). If you wish, you can watch the work of the US judiciary - for information on the available time to visit the Supreme Court, you should contact the tourist information center.
US Library of Congress It is considered the world's largest collection of books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, photographs and maps, with ten new documents added every minute. If books and photographs are not particularly attractive, it still makes sense to go to the library: there is a cafe on its sixth floor Madison Building Cafeteria with a good panorama of the city of Washington.
Not far from the Capitol is the tallest building in the city: Washington Monument(in general, in the American capital one can pretty much feel the “cult of personality” of this, no doubt, respected political figure). It is legally prohibited to build buildings higher than the Capitol in the US capital (or rather, there is no direct reference to the Capitol in the law, only the maximum allowable height of buildings is mentioned) and the Washington Monument is the only exception to this rule.
Washington Attractions: Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and one of the oldest scientific and cultural institutions in America, includes eighteen museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Art, the Woodrow Wilson Science Center, the National Zoo, the Astrophysical Laboratory and much more. It was founded in 1846 in Washington by decision of Congress at the expense of the English scientist James Smithson, who, although he had never been to the United States in his life, bequeathed his entire inheritance (500 thousand US dollars at that time) to the government of the United States “for the creation of an institution for the development and dissemination knowledge". In his will, the benefactor did not specify what kind of institution he had in mind: a research institute, a library, a museum, or something else. Seventeen years after Smithson's death, the US Congress approved the creation of an educational and scientific institution that included museums, several libraries, and research institutes.
Smithsonian Institution in Washington is located in one of the most unusual and memorable buildings of the US capital, known as the "castle":
Washington Monument
Washington Monument It was built and named after the first US President George Washington, and for a long time was the tallest building on the planet, until the Eiffel Tower was erected in Paris. This is one of the most famous "long-term construction" in the United States - the construction of the obelisk began in 1848, and ended 36 years later, in 1884.
In fact, the Washington Monument was built of granite and lined with marble and surrounded by a ring of flags of 50 American states - but, unfortunately, I didn’t find it in this form: after the 2011 earthquake, the Washington Monument was decorated with a picturesque crack and, for the purpose of repair monument, the marble was stripped from it:
City of Washington: Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial- one of the few places in the US capital that makes at least some impression.
The Lincoln Memorial, erected in downtown Washington, is a tribute to the memory of the 16th President of the United States, whose reign was marked by the Civil War (from 1861 to 1865) and the abolition of slavery in a country that considered itself free and democratic from the very day it was founded. And in which such phenomena as "freedom" and "slavery" coexisted quite peacefully with each other until the era of Abraham Lincoln. According to the inhabitants of the United States, Lincoln could rightfully be called honest, steadfast and tolerant - it is not surprising that such a rare set of positive qualities for a politician helped him die a violent death. The Lincoln Memorial is a symbol of the 16th President's unwavering belief that all people have a right and should be free. And, if you look at the results of the reign of Abraham Lincoln, he was not so idealistic.
The Lincoln Memorial is built in the image and likeness of an ancient temple - the height of the architectural structure is 57 meters, and its width is 36 meters. The pseudo-Greek temple of the Lincoln Memorial is supported by 36 marble columns, which are symbols of the North American United States (there are more states in the country today, but it was 36 states that the United States consisted of at the time of the assassination of its 16th president).
In the "altar" of the "temple" sits a stern, adamant Lincoln and looks with obvious disapproval towards the Capitol:
At first sight, the six-meter statue of Abraham Lincoln looks like it was made from a single piece of marble, but in reality it consists of many parts skillfully fitted to each other.
Washington Landmarks: The Pentagon
Pentagon, the American Department of Defense (translated from the Greek word pentagon meaning "pentagon") is the largest office building in the world.
Here are just a few figures: the perimeter of the "pentagon" is 1405 meters, the length of each of its sides is 280 meters. The total area of all five floors of the Pentagon is 604 thousand square meters, and the total length of all its corridors is about 28 kilometers. So, if I again meet the journalistic stamp “in the corridors of the Pentagon” somewhere on the Internet, I will imagine something boundless, like a hadron collider. The height of the building, excluding underground floors, is about 20 meters, it is designed in such a way that it can be reached in any place in a maximum of 7 minutes. In general, the Pentagon is a skyscraper, which, mindful of the ban on the construction of high-rise buildings in the city of Washington, was simply laid on its side.
City of Washington: Arlington Cemetery
America's most famous cemetery is located on the opposite bank of the river. Potomac, from the city you can get there by the bridge.
Among those who are buried in Arlington are a huge number of national heroes and politicians of the first magnitude - for example, brothers John and Robert F. Kennedy. Given the crowds of people visiting the graves of celebrities, it can be said that those buried at Arlington Cemetery are unlikely to find peace after death.
Arlington Cemetery also has its own tourist attraction: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every half hour there is a changing of the guard of honor, consisting of military personnel of the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the US Army.
Well, just a photo of the city of Washington:
My personal opinion: if you go to Washington, then only for public needs (and preferably at public expense) or for a “tick” - they say, I’ve been, I’ve seen the White House with the Capitol, I didn’t care about the Pentagon ... In America, there are a sufficient number of much more interesting and places worth visiting, from the same New York it seems to me more interesting and closer to go for a day or two to Philadelphia or Boston with Niagara Falls than to spend this time on a trip to artificial Washington through and through.
How to get to Washington
By plane: there are currently no direct flights between Russian cities and Washington, so you will have to fly with at least one transfer - in New York or at one of the European airports; if you take care of buying tickets in advance, then it is quite possible to find them for $ 500 (round-trip, with one transfer).
To find cheap flights to Washington, you can use this form:
By bus: Private carrier Greyhound's buses compete with Amtrak's in price and are often comparable in speed. The Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washington is located at 1005 1st/L Sts. N.E.
By train: Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station and connect Washington to all major cities on the East Coast and Midwest (and, with transfers, to every other major US city). For flight schedules and tickets, please visit www.amtrak.com
Washington: how to get from the airport to the city center
Ronald Reagan Washington Airport:
The easiest way to do this is by subway. In my case, I had to take the yellow line to the Gallery Palace/Chinatown station, the fare was $3. In addition to the metro, the city center from Ronald Reagan Airport can be reached by bus.
In addition to Ronald Reagan, Washington can be reached from two more airports: Dulles(Dulles International Airport) and Baltimore-Washington (Baltimore-Washington International Airport)
Dulles International Airport: located 42 kilometers southwest of the city, every 45 minutes a shuttle leaves the airport to the West Falls Church metro station. If you need to get to downtown Washington, it is more convenient to use the Washington Flyer, www.metwashairports.com.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport: is located 48 kilometers northeast of the city of Washington. There is an express bus from the airport to the Greenbelt metro station, www.bwiairport.com every 40 minutes.
Life hack: how I save on hotels and insurance
In addition to traditional and well-known tools such as Booking or Hotellook, new online services have recently appeared that make life easier for the traveler and pleasantly save the thickness of his wallet. One of them - roomguru I use it all the time and recommend it to all my friends and family. This service compares prices for an object in 30 booking systems at once, and offers you the most interesting options. In addition, it tracks discounts and special offers.
As for a good working travel insurance, it was not easy to find it before, but now it has become even more difficult due to the constant fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate against world currencies. For the past few years, I have taken out insurance for my travels through an online service.
