Harrisburg, PA
Capital of Pennsylvania
Overview
Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania, located in the Northeast region of the United States. Founded in 1785, the city has grown to a population of approximately 50,349 residents within a state of 13,002,700 people. As the seat of Pennsylvania's state government, Harrisburg serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Pennsylvania State Capitol, a Renaissance Revival structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1906. Designed by Joseph Miller Huston, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Harrisburg has served as the capital of Pennsylvania since 1812. Before Harrisburg, the state's capital was located in Chester, Philadelphia and Lancaster.
Pennsylvania State Capitol
The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg was famously described by President Theodore Roosevelt as 'the handsomest building I ever saw' when he dedicated it in 1906. The building features a green terra cotta dome inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and an interior lavished with murals by Edwin Austin Abbey and Violet Oakley, mosaics, and tiles by Henry Chapman Mercer. It is considered one of the most ornate state capitols in the nation.
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Notable Features
- Described by Theodore Roosevelt as 'the handsomest building I ever saw'
- 272-foot dome inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
- Edwin Austin Abbey murals and Violet Oakley paintings
- Henry Chapman Mercer Moravian tile floors
- Grand staircase modeled after the Paris Opera House
- Stained glass and bronze work throughout
Media Gallery
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Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★Theodore Roosevelt called the Pennsylvania State Capitol 'the handsomest building I ever saw' at its 1906 dedication.
- ★The grand staircase is modeled after the one in the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier).
- ★The dome is 272 feet high and weighs 52 million pounds, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica.
- ★The Moravian tile floors by Henry Chapman Mercer depict 400 scenes from Pennsylvania history.
- ★Edwin Austin Abbey's massive paintings in the House Chamber took him four years to complete.
- ★Harrisburg has been the state capital since 1812, replacing Lancaster, which replaced Philadelphia.
- ★The architect Joseph Huston was later convicted of fraud related to furnishing costs for the building.