You’ve probably at least seen them on Victoria postcards or online tourism sites. Those turquoise-green, birdcage-like domes. The stately stone columns and walls. The iconic figures and statues! Holding court over the Inner Harbor, Victoria, BC’s Parliament Buildings are among its signature symbols.
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But don’t just give them a glance! You’d be missing half the grandeur of this pair of buildings without venturing inside. The best part? Admission is free! These 10 things to do at Victoria, BC’s Parliament Buildings take you beyond admiring the magnificent architecture.
1. Observe Debates from the Public Galleries
Want a peek at the day-to-day activities that take place in the Parliament Buildings? Check the calendar to find out when the Legislative Assembly is sitting. You’ll be able to tuck behind the ornate ropes of the public galleries. This is a unique opportunity to witness all the action that occurs. You’ll see the Lieutenant Governor and 85 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) debate the pros and cons of each bill before deciding to support or reject the measure.
Or swing by during the “Question Period. This is an intense, 30-minute rapid-fire question-and-answer session. However, with opposition members questioning the Premier and cabinet ministers about government plans, be aware that this is one of the most popular proceedings to watch. Be sure to arrive early to snag a seat to catch it in real time!
2. Soak in Stunning Stained Glass Windows
Decked out in an array of sparkling colors, more than 100 stained and leaded glass windows can be found on the building’ interior walls. Highlights include the Diamond Jubilee Window in the Reception Hall. One of the largest and msot dazzling displays, it was created to celebrate the 60th year of Queen Victoria’s reign. Additionally, it features the province’s first coat of arms and flowers representing each country in the United Kingdom.
Up for an educational round of I-spy? Stop by the building’s new addition, the Golden Jubilee Window. Created in honor of the 50th year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, look for provincial symbols in the design. A Steller’s jay, Western red cedar, Pacific salmon, and pieces of jade are all included.
Next, check out the staircases. You’ll see a collection of glass inscribed with quotes from famous writers and early philosophers like Aristotle and Plato.
3. Gaze Up at the Memorial Rotunda
One step into the grand structure and it’s hard to miss the lofty showstopper among Victoria, B.C.’s parliament buildings: the exquisite Memorial Rotunda. With a soaring 100-foot ceiling, the octagonal renaissance-style dome distinguishes the structures from the many circular neoclassical domes used on American state and federal capital buildings.
An open circle is adorned with marble, gilded walls and four paintings. They represent British Columbia’s first industries (farming, fishing, mining and forestry) for an idyllic blend of historic dignity and Old-World glamour.
(Insider tip: Don’t miss the two-meter tall statue of Captain George Vancouver. The explorer who is credited with first circumnavigating Vancouver Island is perched outside on the top of the dome. Made of beaten copper and plated with 14-carat gold, it’s stunning in the afternoon sunlight).
4. Check Out the Shxwtitostel
Pop down to the Lower Rotunda to admire the hand-crafted “Shxwtitostel.” This traditional inland river canoe was carved by The Honourable Steven Point, 28th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and Chief Tony Hunt, Hereditary Chief of the KwaGulth and master carver. Point was inspired after discovering the pre-carved red cedar log on Ross Bay Beach in Victoria. Furthermore, he crafted it to represent a bridge between the First Nation peoples and those whose ancestors arrived in Victoria later.
Want to see the building’s signature dome from a different perspective? Parliamentary Education Officer, David S. Nicholls, explains, “Kids always enjoy coming into the Lower Rotunda and looking up to the top of the 100-foot ceiling of the main dome of the Parliament Buildings.”
5. Curl up with a Book in the Legislative Library
Are you a burgeoning bibliophile? Or maybe a history buff? Duck into the Legislative Library. Getting lost in the stacks of historical books and best-selling novels that span the seven-floor library is sure to be an unforgettable experience. A reader’s paradise with an eye-catching domed entrance crafted out of white marble and framed by stately pillars and balconies, it’s worth visiting for the aesthetics alone. Plus, you can look for the mythical grotesques that peer down from the ring of the dome.
6. Let the Kiddos Meet Up with Notable Figures from BC’s Past
Time your visit right, between Victoria Day in May to Labor Day in early September, and you can catch a Parliamentary Play. Some of the province’s famous citizens are brought back to life via period costumes and lively monologues for fun and educational entertainment. You might be greeted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria along the driveway, or enjoy the opportunity to chat with the buildin’gs famed architect, Francis Rattenbury. Don’t be surprised if you also stumble upon BC’s first female MLA, Mary Ellen Smith, or a renowned BC gold miner like Nellie Cashman. You never know who you’ll encounter!
Looking for kid-friendly fun? Equally important for all families, Nicholls says, “Kids can ask at the Tour Desk for a copy of our I-Spy activity sheet, which gives them certain items to look for as they explore the building.”
7. Count the Lights on the Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings are absolutely majestic during the day. But come nightfall, they take on a whole new look. More than 3,600 lightbulbs on their exterior illuminate the structure with a dramatic glow. It’s a tradition dating back to 1897, when 350 lights were placed on the building to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Originally only used for special occasions, they’ve been switched on nightly since 1965.
(Psst – Swing by at Christmas time when red and green bulbs get added to the mix. Plus, the province’s official Christmas tree – the giant, more than 100-foot-tall Sequoia on the front lawn – gets dressed with its own set of thousands of energy-efficient bulbs.)
8. Explore the Back of the Property
If you came for the grand scale and proportion of Victoria B.C.’s majestic Parliament Buildings, be sure to stay for the often over-looked treasures at the backside of the property. In contrast, it’s a tranquil oasis with the bubbling sounds of the Centennial Fountain. Rimmed with a bronze gull, sea otter, eagle, raven, bear and wolf, the creatures are geographically symbolic of the colonies and territories that joined to form British Columbia.
Stroll along the walls of the Legislative Library to discover the 14 tall statues guarding the exterior. Ranging from the founder of Fort Victoria, Sir James Douglas, to the first Chief Justice of British Columbia, Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, each one is uniquely connected to BC’s early history.
9. Grab Breakfast or Lunch in the Parliamentary Dining Room
When hunger pangs hit, head down to the Parliamentary Dining Room. It offers tasty breakfasts and lunches prepared by an award-winning chef using fresh, local ingredients. Whether you nosh on weekly specials like the Schnitzel burger or an egg-centric breakfast concoction such as the Mexican breakfast bowl, you can’t go wrong. Combined with friendly staff and the chatter of regulars, it makes for a relaxing dining experience.
10. Hop on a Guided Tour
Want to see every nook and cranny of the Parliament Buildings? Join one of the free, guided tours. Expert staff will fill you in on everything from the ins and outs of British Columbia’s parliamentary process to its history. If it’s full-on immersion you’re after, treat yourself to the popular Tea and Tour. You’ll enjoy a white-cloth breakfast in the Parliamentary Dining Room before following a member of the Parliamentary Players Program for a guided tour.
If anything embodies Victoria, it is the historic Parliament Buildings. Drop in to watch a debate, wander through the Premier’s sweetly-scented rose garden or explore the grounds on your own. No matter how you visit, you’ll leave feeling like a real Parliamentarian.
Feature Photo: Anne McKinnell