London, GB | Formerly of New York, Buenos Aires, Fife, and the Western Cape. | Saoránach d’Éirinn.

L’etoile du Nord

The dome of the Minnesota State Capitol, one of the finest government buildings in the New World.

Published at 2:51 pm on Friday 3 July 2009. Categories: Architecture Tags: .
Comments

Beautiful, though I would have preferred to keep the dome in the sacred realm. What do the quadriga and the figures below in the attic represent?

Dino Marcantonio 3 Jul 2009 4:01 pm

The quadriga is officially known as “The Progress of the State”; the four horses represent Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. The two women who flank the chariot represent Industry and Agriculture, while the chap in the chariot is Prosperity.

The six figures in the attic are Bounty, Courage, Integrity, Prudence, Truth, and Wisdom.

It is also, so far as I know, the only state capitol with a rathskeller.

Andrew Cusack 3 Jul 2009 4:31 pm

I agree with Dino Marcantonio, especially that dome…

IM 3 Jul 2009 4:40 pm

The largest unsupported marble dome in the world — though I dont know what “unsupported” means.

R. Harrington 3 Jul 2009 6:49 pm

The interior is also quite spectacular.

J. Kelley 4 Jul 2009 5:09 am

Outwardly beautiful yes but rotted to the core by the corruption that takes place within. We unfortunately have one of the New World’s most crooked and inept governments here in lovely Minnesota.

Scott W. 5 Jul 2009 5:59 pm

I read that it was the second largest marble dome in the world, then again Rhode Island State Capitol by McKim, Mead and White also seems to allege the same claim to fame.

IM 5 Jul 2009 6:06 pm

For those that are not aware, the Minnesota State Capitol is located about a half mile from another great building, the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Here’s a view of the cathedral from state capitol:

http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/sites/default/files/images/exterior_summer_portrait_capitol.jpg

gregg 5 Jul 2009 6:42 pm

“Unsupported” must mean the dome is entirely masonry load-bearing construction. No steel beams or trusses.

Dino Marcantonio 9 Jul 2009 4:36 am

Not far from the Cathedral — and now National Shrine — of St. Paul, one of the most beautiful churches in the New World (or at least in North America).

Vincent 14 Jul 2009 2:19 pm
Leave a comment

NAME (required)

EMAIL (required)

WEBSITE (not required)

COMMENT

Home | About | Contact | Paginated Index | Twitter | Facebook | RSS/Atom Feed
andrewcusack.com | © Andrew Cusack 2004-present (Unless otherwise stated)