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The clock tower at the Parliament of Canada’s Centre Block is called the Peace Tower. It’s 92.2m high and includes over 370 gargoyles, grotesques, and friezes.
After my tour of Centre Block, I took an optional tour of the Peace Tower. This took an extra hour but was well worth it. Free tickets for self-guided tours of the tower are available online in advance. (Note: the Peace Tower and Centre Block are currently closed for rehabilitation (as of January 2024). I’ll update when new information is available).
Observation Deck
First, I rode the lift up to the observation deck to get some incredible views of Ottawa and the surrounding area.
Memorial Chamber
Next it was off to the Memorial Chamber. This solemn room holds the Books of Remembrance, which contain the names of all Canadian soldiers killed in war.
The architect, John A. Pearson, personally collected stone from the European battlefields where Canadians were killed and incorporated it into the floors and walls. The walls were originally supposed to have been inscribed with the names of all the service members killed in action, but there wasn’t enough space. The Books of Remembrance were placed there instead.
In addition, there are three stained glass windows measuring 7m x 3.5m. They symbolize the Call to Arms, the Assembly of Remembrance, and the Dawn of Peace.
