Parliament Buildings

Victoria's Parliament Buildings are the first thing many travellers see when their ferry or seaplane arrives, and the sight is meant to impress. The British Columbia legislature stands on Belleville Street facing the Inner Harbour, a long pile of grey and white stone crowned by a copper dome and a gilded statue of Captain George Vancouver. It was designed by Francis Rattenbury, a 25-year-old English architect who won the commission in a competition, and it opened in 1898. The style is a flamboyant Neo-Baroque, with carved stone, turrets, arches and a central rotunda, and the whole composition reads as a Victorian declaration that British Columbia’s young government had arrived.

At night the building is outlined by thousands of tiny lights, a tradition that began with the celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in the late 1890s and still draws people to the harbour front after dark. A statue of Queen Victoria stands in front of the main entrance, and the lawns that slope toward the waterfront are a favourite spot for picnics and photographs.

Inside, the building is a working legislature. The Legislative Chamber, where the elected members of the province meet, is richly carved and gilded, and the rotunda soars above a floor of marble and mosaic. Visitors can take a free guided tour that explains how the provincial government works and points out the stained glass, murals and historic details along the way. Tours are offered in English, and other languages may be available at some times of year. Self-guided visits may also be possible, depending on the season and on what the legislature is doing, since sitting days and security can limit access. The Legislative Library, with its iron staircase and balconies, is among the most attractive rooms in the complex.

Opening times vary between the summer season and the rest of the year, with longer hours and weekend access in summer, so confirm the current schedule on the legislature's official website before you go. Plan on about 40 minutes for a tour, and bring photo identification, since visitors pass through security.

The building is within a short walk of the Fairmont Empress and the Royal BC Museum, so it combines naturally with a stroll around the harbour. It suits history and architecture lovers, and anyone who wants to see how a Canadian province governs itself.