Quick and Impulsive Tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building

Since I was going to Madison, I decided to hit up the state capitol building. I hadn’t been there in years, so I wanted to see it again. After I went to Woodman’s, I headed downtown.

Traffic scene showing vehicles stopped at an intersection under cloudy skies, with a yellow van visible in the left lane

The capitol started getting closer. I didn’t drive up to the steps though, like last time I was in Madison.

View of the Wisconsin State Capitol building with its prominent white dome rising above downtown Madison streets

I hadn’t planned on spending much time in the capitol, so when I saw a 2-hour parking sign and an empty space, I quickly grabbed it.

Wisconsin State Capitol building photographed from across Capitol Square lawn, framed by trees with autumn foliage

Come to find out, the 2-hour spaces were behind me and taken. This was permit parking space. Luckily, across the road was metered parking. Jake stood in the parking spot as I went around the Capitol Square. He put some money in the meter, and we found out we could only park for 30 minutes. It was definitely going to have to be a fast tour!

Side view of parked cars along Capitol Square with the white neoclassical Capitol building and green lawn in background

We quickly walked about to the south side of the building.

Close-up exterior view of the Wisconsin State Capitol dome and columned portico entrance

There were definitely plenty of old rock steps to climb.

Grand entrance to the Wisconsin State Capitol featuring a sweeping stone staircase leading up to massive Corinthian columns

It was cool looking at the dome and columns.

Upward angle view of the Capitol dome's circular colonnade with Ionic columns supporting the rotunda

The door was wooden.

Ornate wooden double doors with vertical glass panels and decorative carved panels at the Capitol entrance

.with an old and cool knob that said, “Wisconsin.â€

Brass door handle and plate embossed with WISCONSIN text on historic wooden door

The one thing about the Wisconsin State Capitol building is there isn’t any security when you walk in. You just walk in and are free to roam. I remember the last time I visited was one of the only times they had security due to the massive protests that were happening right after Act 10 in 2011. This time, we just walked past the statue. I also made a note of this statue so I knew where I needed to be to get back to my car.

White marble classical statue positioned in a rotunda alcove with ornate lighting fixture above

We made it into the rotunda area.

Interior of Capitol rotunda showing multi-level balconies with decorative columns, mosaic ceiling detail, and geometric marble floor pattern

I decided to look up.

View looking up into the Capitol dome interior revealing coffered ceiling with central painted medallion and ring of skylights

There was a veteran’s memorial nearby.

Military memorial display featuring war memorial monument surrounded by American flag and military service flags

There were people down on the ground floor below us.

Aerial view from upper rotunda level showing visitors on the colorful marble mosaic floor below with black columns

There were many steps to climb. These steps led to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Elegant marble staircase ascending to the Supreme Court entrance, with ornate balustrade and decorative arch above

They didn’t want firearms in the court.

Security checkpoint station with sign reading NO FIREARMS OR WEAPONS BEYOND THIS POINT and waste receptacle

They had a listing of what they were hearing that day. Interestingly enough, they were having a hearing about carrying firearms.

Framed schedule board displaying WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT hearing times for Friday, September 9, 2016

You could even see inside through the windows that court was in session.

Dark wooden double doors to Supreme Court chamber, flanked by framed portraits of justices and antique chairs

We walked up some steps by the state library. The whole capitol building had wooden doors like what is seen in this picture.

Wooden double doors with arched transom window reading STATE LIBRARY in gold lettering

We eventually found directions to the observation deck.

Wooden directional sign with arrow stating Access to the observation deck to the right and up the stairs

We finally made it there!

Bright yellow informational poster about the Observation Deck Level, listing hours and features, posted on wooden door

All we had left was a climb up the spiral staircase.

Narrow spiral staircase with metal railings leading to observation deck, with directional signs posted on walls

From there, the views of Madison were amazing! Seeing the lakes and then how it formed the isthmus definitely puts things into perspective when they talk about Madison being an isthmus.

Cityscape view from Capitol observation deck showing downtown Madison buildings under cloudy skies View from observation deck looking down tree-lined street toward Lake Mendota with modern buildings on either side Panoramic view from Capitol showing downtown buildings, distant lake, and cloudy sky View from Capitol observation deck featuring church spire in foreground with downtown buildings and distant hills Construction cranes visible in cityscape view from Capitol with lake in distance under partly cloudy sky American and Wisconsin state flags flying on flagpole with lake visible in background and Capitol roof in foreground View from Capitol observation deck showing Madison cityscape with lake in the distance Aerial view down Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard from Capitol toward lake, showing construction crane and modern buildings

We found that there was an observation deck for looking down in the rotunda.

Wooden sign in decorative frame reading ENTER HERE TO VIEW THE ROTUNDA FROM THE TRUMPETER'S BALCONY

It was definitely a long way’s down from where we were looking.

Downward view into Capitol rotunda from upper level showing multiple floors, visitors on marble floor, and ornate architectural details

There were also some old artifacts like these lights.

Ornate ceiling light fixture with multiple globe bulbs arranged in flower pattern, labeled SO. WEST on green painted ceiling

.and this drinking fountain.

Arched marble drinking fountain alcove with small spout in center

There was an old liberty bell.

Large historic bronze bell on display stand in Capitol rotunda with informational plaque

By this time, it was time to leave. I quickly snapped a picture from the capitol steps on the side of the square I had parked the car.

View from Capitol steps showing formal stone terrace, ornate lamppost, and church spire with downtown buildings in background

We made it to my car with no time left on the meter. This whole tour of the capitol building took about half an hour, and it took longer to write this blog entry than the time we spent in the capitol. It was definitely good to see it again, and maybe sometime I’ll find some better parking that will allow me to spend more time wandering around.

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