Publisher's Synopsis
Parliament Hill sits at the heart of Canada's Capital, overlooked a river that reflects many histories. From the beginning, Parliament Hill was designed as a workplace for parliamentarians, and also as a place where everyone could come to meet, talk or just relax in a beautiful outdoor setting. Today there is a scenic promenade which follows the shoreline of the Ottawa River.The Centre, East and West blocks of the Parliament Buildings were built between 1859 and 1866 (excluding the Tower and Library). The Parliament Buildings have vaulted ceilings, marble floors and dramatic lighting which create an air of dignity. The stone walls have a lot of decoration.The Centre Block is home to the Senate Chamber (east half), the House of Commons Chamber (west half), and the Library of Parliament. The Hall of Honour stretches through the centre of the building and symbolically links all the elements of the Centre Block together.The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 and is 92.2 metres tall. The Peace Tower is a campanile, a freestanding bell tower. In addition to the bells that chime every quarter hour, it houses the carillon. The Carillon is a percussion instrument of tower bells played from a large keyboard. The Peace Tower Carillon has 53 bronze bells of different sizes covering 41/2 octaves and weighs 66 tonnes.The carillonneur brings the bells to life by bringing down the large keys with partially closed hands and by depressing the pedals with the feet. Each clapper, pulled by a steel wire, strikes the interior of the bell with just the force given to the key. The performer may then play as expressively as a pianist.Like the tower itself, the carillon and its music reinforce Canada's dedication to peace. At its inauguration in 1927, Prime Minister Mackenzie King described the carillon as "the voice of a nation in thanksgiving and praise which will sound over land and sea."
