Capitols

Capitols are buildings that house legislative bodies or other government proceedings. In English, capitol (lowercase) can refer to any such building, while Capitol (capitalized) is commonly used for specific prominent buildings, notably the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The word traces to the Capitoline Hill in Rome, the historic seat of the Roman state; from there the term entered modern languages to denote major government buildings. The plural Capitols can denote multiple capitol buildings around the world or within a country.

Capitol buildings are typically designed to convey authority and civic identity. Many employ neoclassical design, featuring domes, grand staircases, a central rotunda, and ceremonial spaces. Inside, they commonly house a main legislative chamber, committee rooms, and offices for lawmakers and staff. Exterior façades often incorporate statues, inscriptions, or symbols of law and governance.

Notable examples include the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and various state-capitol buildings such as the California State Capitol in Sacramento or the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The term also ties to Capitoline Hill in Rome, the ancient and symbolic origin of the concept. While the details of function and form vary by country and level of government, capitol buildings generally serve as the political centers where laws are discussed and enacted.