capitol

Capitol refers to a building that houses a legislative body. The term originates from Capitoline Hill in Rome and is used in English to denote the principal legislative building in a country or region. While the word capital (without the o) denotes a seat of government or a city, capitol specifically names the seat of a legislature.

In the United States, the Capitol in Washington, D.C., sits on Capitol Hill and houses the two chambers of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives. Construction began in 1793 under architect William Thornton, with later enlargements by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Charles Bulfinch. The iconic dome and adjoining wings were completed over the 19th century, the domed roof largely reborn as a cast-iron structure designed by Thomas U. Walter. The interior features include the Rotunda, the National Statuary Hall, and the crypt, while the Statue of Freedom stands atop the dome. The Capitol Complex also includes a dedicated Visitor Center that opened in 2008, providing public access and interpretive exhibits.

Beyond the federal building, most U.S. states maintain their own state capitol buildings, typically designed in neoclassical style and serving as the seat of the state legislature. The term is also used for similar legislative houses in other countries. Capitol buildings are symbols of representative government, hosting sessions, committees, and public ceremonies, and they often function as major architectural and cultural landmarks.