Of all the spectacular structures in Washington D.C., the United States capital, my favorite is the Washington Monument. It was constructed in honor of the first president of the United States, George Washington, and is a testament to his power and importance. The location of the monument is in direct line with the Lincoln Memorial to the west, the White House to the north, and the U.S. Capitol building to the east.
The design of the Washington Monument is simple and stark. It is in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, referencing ancient civilizations, and stands at 555 feet tall. The height of the tower is ten times its base, and there are no adornments to the obelisk. It is made of granite and marble. It was designed by Robert Mills and constructed in two phases between 1848 and 1888. Due to difficulties raising funds for the construction, the Washington Monument is made of three different kinds of Maryland marble; several quarries had closed during the phases of construction. Close inspection of the obelisk reveals three slightly different shades of marble.
The interior of the Washington Monument is hollow. There is an iron spiral staircase, which is no longer accessible to the public. This staircase has multiple large landings allowing different memorial stones to be viewed by visitors. In total, there are 194 memorial stones contributed by other states and some foreign countries.
At the time of its construction, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world. It still remains the tallest obelisk in the world and the tallest structure in Washington DC. It was originally constructed with a steam elevator to allow visitors to ascend the 555 feet in ten minutes. Now, there is an electric elevator which is much faster! The observation deck at the top remains a popular tourist destination and offers spectacular views of the city. In front of the Washington Monument, there is a magnificent reflecting pool
In 2011, an earthquake damaged the Washington Monument, leaving visible cracks in the facade and causing structural damage. Luckily, the National Parks Service was able to fully repair it by 2013.
Overall, the Washington Monument is a focal point within the Washington D.C. landscape and a symbol of great power around the world.
